Aubrey's 11th Birthday

Aubrey celebrated her 11th birthday this last Friday. She was able to have two parties, one with her friends and then one with just family.

She's growing up so quickly and there are many changes going on in her life. She's been able to secure one steady babysitting job that is once a week for two boys - weird to think she is old enough to be doing that. She is certainly enjoying the freedom that comes with having money - which is usually spent on Bella Sara Horse trading cards, horse books, or horse stickers, oh and candy (I'm sure you are getting the idea here, sounds nothing like the way I used to be.) :) So I bumped up the ratio on some of that money going to savings (and of course tithing), but she doesn't seem to mind. I think she's just happy she doesn't have to go through us now, if she has the money, she can buy whatever she wants by herself.

She will be starting Junior High after the summer. She had the choice to either sign up for band or art classes, so I suggested she do band and I would try and put her in some art classes during the summer. She agreed and at first she was planning on playing my clarinet that I used to play back in the good 'ol days. But after seeing an instrument demonstration at her school, she decided she wanted to try the flute. So we purchased one a few weeks ago and she is all ready to go. However, we are still going to have her continue with piano lessons, we feel it will benefit her throughout her life. So, she will be a busy girl that's for sure. We love her dearly and are very grateful for her giving heart and loving attitute. Happy Birthday Aubrey!

Preparing the candles so we can sing happy birthday. I made the mistake of putting the candles too close to her horse and it's nose set on fire. Oops!

More surpises, Bella Sara horse trading cards from Connor and Ronin! Pictured with Aubrey is her Great-grandma, Joan Morton, holding Rigdon.

Look! "The Last Unicorn" movie. Didn't see that one coming.

Party time with friends!

The kids played several games. Here is the Dizzy Relay Race where they have to twirl with the bat 10 times and then run. Everybody did pretty well except for the boy here in this picture (Justin) - he ran into the picnic table and fell over. Aubrey is on the other bat.

Musical chairs - funny how even at this age kids still love playing this game.

Egg Relay Race - Connor and our neighbor, Keneisha, are racing to be the first to get back to their team.

Aubrey and Chris Cheney are next. Go, Aubrey, go!

Egg Toss Game - pairs start close together throwing a raw egg at each other. The pair who is the last one to break their egg is the winner.

Notice how carefully and gently Ronin is throwing his egg to his Dad? (Eggs were computer painted yellow so you could see them easier.)