Pretty little package

This is the sweet reward of having a big sister.
She'll do your hair for you.
Chloe found this cute idea to make your hair into a bow online and Grace was her tester.

I remember doing this with Em.
But the tools of my trade were pink sponge rollers and headbands and it turned out something like this:

Ain't sisters grand?

Chloe @ 13

That sweet little 5 pound 13 ounce baby that first made me a Mother is 13 years old today.

On her special day we will have Chicken Gnocchi Soup and Rolls.

We will put 13 candles in her lemon cream pie. 

She will be free from all chores and showered with love. 

Her birthday wish list includes: slippers, A Mom and Me Day coupon, a gift card for clothes, and some fancy new converse. 

Chloe's year has included her first time at Girl's Camp, playing on a bantam basketball league, growing taller and taller but feet have stabilized at a 10, nearly finished with braces, doesn't want contacts, loves to play songs she knows on the piano (Taylor Swift, One Republic, and hymns),  loves Converse shoes and simple t-shirts, doesn't need my help with her hair, a touch of makeup and perfume, a heart that knows what others need, wonderful grades, and loves Young Women's. 

Happy 13 Years Chloe!

Lucky Pampering

Chloe loves to invite friends over, but she always needs "a plan".
She doesn't want to sit around and ask "What should we do".
So she recently had Hunter over for a late over (our answer to sleep overs).
I was busy cleaning up dinner when I was invited to come upstairs.

Hmmm?
I heard soft music coming from my room and suddenly realized I hadn't asked the boys to quit wrestling for at least 20 minutes.

When I got to my room this is what met me.

Our bedroom had been turned into the "When You Just Have to Get Away Spa".
Lucky me!
The girls had soft lighting, sheer drapes hung from the ceiling to divide my room into sections, aromatherapy, and soft piano music playing. They handed me my p.j.'s, robe, and slippers and told me to get changed and be prepared to get pampered.

First was a foot soak followed by a scrub.
I even had some little snacks to eat while they scrubbed my feet.

Next was onto my hands at the next station.

Here they massaged my hands and wrists and I nearly fell asleep.

This was one of my favorite parts.
They had guards to guard the door to the spa.  They allowed no one in.
Even crying 2 year olds.

Here's that same guard taking his job very seriously through the sheer curtain.
After my hands they rubbed my feet.
I could've just snuggled right up in my bed after that, but alas guards and crying 2 year olds needed to be put to bed.  It was a fantastic treat from two very creative 12 year olds.

Much Ado About Chloe

You knew it was coming didn't you?
My sweet first born turned 12 early this morning.
Her Young Women's leaders came over on Monday to
talk to her about the program and all it entails.
She is beside herself with excitement.
She is so ready to go to Young Womens and soak up
every bit of it.
I keep saying they are lucky to have her.
That's really how I feel about her.
Her friends are lucky to have her, her teachers are, I am.

If I were to list some of the traits that Chloe embodies they would be:
A Peacemaker
Creative
Thoughtful
Hard working
A Nurturer
Obedient
Funny
Athletic
Sensitive
Forgiving
An Example

Recently one of her friends got braces on.  Chloe gathered her money and asked if I would stop by Arctic Circle on the way to pick up Scott and get her friend a shake that she could drop off because her mouth would certainly be hurting.  One of many examples of her thoughtfulness.

I brought a cake to her class today.  Her teacher said many kind things about Chloe and then prompted her to climb on top of her desk and the whole class started singing "Hooray for Chloe she's a darn fine gal, Hooray for Chloe she's a darn fine gal....".  So cute.  I teared up a bit. I did.

I love you Chloe.

Back

It was back to school day.

I'm not sure I was ready for this.

They had their clothes, backpacks, shoes, supplies,

but I just wasn't ready for them to be gone for a majority of the day.

It's kind of strange when I think about them gone

having interactions with other kids and adults.

Having conversations, making choices, learning new things and I'm there for none of it. 

However, I fancy myself a pretty good "reader of emotion", and so

I generally know how the day has gone when I talk to them at home.

We did the traditional 1st day of school pictures and walked together.

Chloe- Grade 6

Asher- Grade 5

Aidan- Grade 2

When we got to the school they usually line up with their class, but today there were no lines.
Asher just went right in. No hug, no kiss, no "see you later Mom". Just gone.
Then I couldn't find Aidan and assumed he'd gone in too.  Chloe told me goodbye and the tears just came.  I was too easily dismissed for the next 6 + hours.  Aidan was just putting his bike away and I made sure to get my goodbye hug/kiss from him.
As we started to walk home Cole said, "Mom why are you crying?"
Me: "I'm sad the kids will be gone all day."
Cole: "But Mom, you still have me."
 That boy knows how to cheer my heart.
Happy First Day of School children.

Scott & Chloe: Cinema/Cupcake Wars

Chloe had been reading Ramona and Beezus before this one on one date.

So Scott thought it would be fun for the two of them to go see the movie.

They both loved it.

Then to test their culinary skills they created a cupcake. 

We love to watch Cupcake Wars together so they came up with 

a lemon buttermilk cupcake topped with basil cream cheese frosting

and crushed lemonhead candies. They were delicious. I was so impressed.

My Chloe Girl

4 months until she joins Young Womens

New glasses

Braces

Calls for her to babysit other people's children

She's growing up.

And she is wonderful.