Double Digits

Claire is officially double digits. It's really hard for me to believe that it's been that long since I became a mom....over 25% of my life. We began celebrating her special day on the last day of school. She had all the girls in her class over for lunch and fun. The theme was luau, and Claire spent quite a bit of time decorating our garage and getting things set up. At the party they all had lunch together, did some water balloon games, had fun on the slip and slide, and did a craft. It was a fun way to end the school year. On Claire's birthday, which she also shares with her six year old brother, we saw Mr. Popper's Penguins (fabulous), burned through about 100 tokens at Chuckee Cheese, and went over to grandma and grandpa VL's for some pizza and presents. Claire is my organized, responsible, reader, who loves peanut butter and jelly, shopping, eating out (definitely my daughter), crafts, baking, and art. Knowing her you might think that she's a girly girl, but I wouldn't describe her that way. In fact, her clothes are definitely chosen by comfort...think cotton knit. Even denim is a bit of a stretch for this t-shirt, soft hoodie, yoga-type pant 10 year old. I think she and I have bonded over the last year. We're so much alike that we often clash...to put it mildly. However, a little more maturity from her and little more understanding (and probably maturity too) from me has gone a long way. Spending one on one time with Claire just seems extra enjoyable. Maybe it's because she's older and we're able to have more grown up conversations. Whatever it is, I love it.   Somehow I doubt though, that in five years she'll still think it's a treat to go alone with me to the grocery store.

 Claire and all her friends getting ready to do the pinata.

 The water balloon toss was fun.  Claire and Erin got all the water balloons ready without my help.  We had over 100.

 Celebrating at Grandma and Grandpa VL's

Yumola! 



Claire did this pastel drawing of her eye this year in art.  I love it and when I look at it I immediately think of Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  I think I could have picked hers out from a stack of 100.