Arielle Turns 11

Roller Skating Par-tee!

Opening new riding boots

Letter from Playboy

I know every parent says this...but it really is weird when your baby keeps getting older & older. Eleven?! It happens so fast. My little BD tradition is to decorate the house late at night with streamers/ balloons/ posters to surprise the kids when they wake up in the morning. Only it's not really a surprise because they are expecting it...LOL. However, there was one year I didn't decorate at night before Toby's BD and he's never forgotten....Anyway, then Arielle chose where she wanted to go to dinner. It has become a joke between Jim & me because the kids usually choose Golden Corral (which is NOT a fav of ours). We just keep telling ourselves "serve with the left, eat with the right" remember that tip next time you're at a greasy buffet. After Golden Corral we opened presents. Arielle had 2 gifts: first, new riding boots because hers were too small and second, a letter from the horse she loves (Playboy...I know, I know) telling her that she can come ride him whenever she wants! We were able to negociate a part time lease with a horse that is rarely ridden at the barn & just happens to be her fav. horse, so she is in horse heaven now as she will get to ride more each week. With friends we had a roller skating party and then let her have 3 friends sleepover. We focused alot on the party & celebration of her birthday, now I need to spend the next year focusing on trying to raise a preteen girl and teach her the things that are most important (which is not always the party... :)