Double Digits!

Another milestone reached! 

My children are no longer little.

All of my children are now in the double digits. 

He may not be so little anymore, but he sure is still cute!

Big brother making sure he was still the tallest 10 year old

of the house! Just wait, James. Lawrence may catch you yet!

Wonderful friends sharing in the celebration.

Yep... now I see why they all get along with Lawrence so well!

Lawrence, what a sweet, fun, funny, lovable kid you are.

Always remember, no matter how old you get, you will always be my

Teddy Bear!

We love you!

A Birthday Tea

Magdalene and I had been wanting to host a Tea Party of quite some time.  We just seemed to get swept away with life and never got around to it, until Dec. 8th! In honor of Magdalene's 12th birthday (Dec. 7th), we finally hosted a Tea Party! 

To keep the "tea table" simple and uncluttered, 

we set a separate table for the food.

Chocolate is a must for any and all parties! (At least the parties I host)

Magdalene and I made cinnamon scones. We used a tulip

cookie cutter rather than having the traditional triangle shape.

This is the "teapot" cake. I am so thrilled it turned out just as

I had envisioned. I am no professional cake decorator, and I was working without

directions. I just used the pampered chef batter bowl for the pot, an ice-cream cone for the spout

and handle, and a small cake cooked in a metal 1 cup measuring cup for the lid.

I couldn't have been any happier with the results.

Chocolate mini donuts! And mini "fruit pizza" cups.

I found some free printable "photo booth props" for some photo fun.

Each guest had the honor of a photo taken with the birthday girl.

TonyJean

Regina

Madison

Clare

Anna

Dominique

Clare and Madison were the two oldest girls in attendance.

Madison (being the older sister) and Clare, a good friend of both Madison

Magdalene, were asked ahead of time to help me serve the others.

They did a marvelous job!! Thank you both!

CAKE TIME!

I had a moment of "but it's too cute to cut".  Then I just reminded myself, I made it

to be eaten. It was almost as good as it was cute :)

The girls played a dice game and each took home a teapot

or teacup they acquired during the game.

All in all, I think Magdalene and I did well hosting our first

official tea party!

Magdalene... I hope your day was special.

I hope you know you are special to us!

We love you.

9th B-day

My little man celebrated his 9th birthday yesterday!

I helped Magdalene make his birthday cake using a recipe from her new cook book. It was a big hit (very delicious)! She is becoming very adept in the kitchen and we all benefit!

The big green candle was our solution to mom someone having forgot to get birthday candles. Worked great though. Green is Lawrence's favorite color and there was already the right size hole in the cake.

G'ma provided the birthday boy with a 6 pack, and since he is my only kid who likes "black pop" he doesn't even have to share!

Star Wars and Lego!! Perfect combination! 

A couple of Lawrence's cousins are in from out-of-state visiting G'ma for a few days and the timing was perfect. The boys were able to join us in the celebration. 

As you can see, they enjoyed each other's company. And, thankfully, the only injury they sustained was a swat to the side of the head for the birthday boy during sword play! (Notice the scratches near Lawrence's right eye). He recovered quickly and their activity choice soon switched to Legos! Smart thinking.

Always a good time when you can share your day with friends!! 

Even better when the friends are also family!!

Thanks for joining us!

(Thanks to G'ma, too. It is always a pleasure to have you with us!)

 And, to my new 9 year old!!!

I hope you know how loved you are.

You are laughter, smiles, craziness, chaos, and love all bundled into one!

Out of all of the boys in the world, I am so glad God chose you to be in our family!