ELEVEN

When Grace was born I could hardly believe how beautiful she was.  I would just stare and stare at her and could seriously not believe what a perfect child had been born to me.  Now, she was somewhat high maintenance, but she had this thick blonde hair, blue blue eyes with super long lashes, and the perfect rose bud lips.  Oh my.  I was so smitten.

And eleven years later, I still am.  This post is late.  Grace turned eleven on the 15th of December.  It was a Saturday and since we weren't having a "friend" party, we let her choose what she wanted to do all day.  She planned it out in advance.  It went something like this:
1.  Wake up
2.  Eat breakfast of donuts and chocolate milk
3. Open presents
4. Chill for awhile
5. Lunch of Ramen Noodles and Apple slices
6. Maybe watch a movie
7.  Just hang out
8. Have dinner of fettucine alfredo, carrots, and bread.
9.  Have cake and ice cream:  chocolate cake with white icing, mint chocolate chip icecream

Her birthday, according to her, was nearly destroyed when she found out that not only did Andre have a Cub Scout event scheduled for that morning at 10:00 to go sing at an Assisted Living facility BUT our whole family was supposed to attend!  Luckily it turned out that she decided her birthday wasn't a complete wash if an hour was spent doing something nice.  She's a very nice girl herself and admitted that she felt good after going.

We got Grace a video camera.  She's a budding little writer/director and know this is something she is going to really enjoy.   Addie and Andre had saved money and bought and/or made her small gifts.  It was a very happy day.   I love this girl so much.  She is quite torn in many ways about life right now.  She does not want to be called a tween; but she certainly is that.  She sometimes cannot wait to grow up.  She tells me all the time how her life is going to be when she can make her own decisions and live on her own.  Yet sometimes she cries and says that we give her too much responsibility.  "I'm only ELEVEN!"  She'll cry.  In fact, last Saturday I was at the dentist and received a text from her.  I'd left the kids at home with Jason and lists of their chores.  Her text:  "That is so weird!  I thought I was 11!  But judging by what my jobs are, I guess my age changed to 23!"   My response:  "Don't be disrespectful."   Turns out she finished her chores in less than 30 minutes and I later received this text:  "Sorry.  I love you."

We had parent teacher conferences last night at her new school.  She is thriving there.  Her lowest grade was in math--97%.  One of her teachers told me, "Grace is a rock.  She is just one of those students that you just wish and wish that every student could be like.  I can always depend of her.  She works when she's supposed to work.  She helps me out all the time.  She is kind to everybody.  She is bright and has a good attitude.  She is really such a blessing to have in class."

My children often seem to do extremely well in school and then have to kind of break down and vent when they get home.  That is okay.  I understand that.  Kids have to be kids and can't act perfect all of the time.  But I must say that there is a lot more happiness at home now that she is happier at school. 

Anyway, that's the end of the birthday post.  I love you, Gracie Girl!!!