Happy Birthday Ariel!

We celebrated Ariel's birthday on May 16th. She got her absolute favorite thing in the world- chocolate cake. The cake was chocolate with fudge icing. And to top it off, we had chocolate ice cream as well. She was in heaven!

We had a small party. It was just family and her best friend, Alicia. We sang happy birthday.

She blew out the candles and made a wish. Which she promptly shared with us that she wanted a dog. I don't know about that birthday wish!

She was allowed to cut herself a piece of cake and it could be any size she wanted. She cut a surprisingly small piece. I couldn't believe it! Afterward, we went to a game room and played laser tag and games. They only played the games that would give the most tickets. She won 700 tickets that night and took ten years picking out prizes to redeem the tickets!

Ariel is 11 years old!

Ariel turns 11 years old! I don"t have any idea where the time goes. Just that it surely flies by. You love chocolate, which has been especially rough for you because I don't allow candy and sweets unless it's a special occasion. I still believe that you will do something art related when you are all grown up, because you love to read and draw. You devour your books. You read at every spare moment. You read in the car and I can find you sometimes in your room with a book. You draw elaborate drawings with lots of detail with the clothing. Maybe you will be a clothing designer and develop your own clothing line. I can see you doing that. I would have to say the subject that you like the least is Math. I think mostly because you aren't always as patient with learning new things when you aren't that interested in them. You love your little sister and most of the time take real good care of her.

You just recently lost another tooth and when I told reminded you about it this was the new smile that I got. It seems like you have been losing teeth forever. You are getting pimples, which is a sign that you are on the cusp of the teenage years.

You are really patient most of the time with my picture taking because you absolutely love to look back at old pictures of yourself and find it hilarious when I share stories of the toddler that you used to be. You are so excited about going to middle school. You want me to buy you a lock so you can practice unlocking the lock using the combination over the summer. You want in the band. Although you haven't told me what instrument you would like to play. I am excited for you, but at the same time a little apprehensive that you have to grow up. You are stubborn like your Dad, of course. You seem to know exactly what you want and can't be swayed. I hope that quality helps you and not hinders you in life. You are sometimes very easily distracted and it takes you hours to complete a task. I will find you just staring off into space, which tells me that you are a daydreamer. Which is another reason why I believe you have a tendency to be pulled to the arts. I love you Ariel! I am so proud you are my daughter!

Marker Mishaps!

I carry a Sharpie Marker in my scrub pockets for work. Occasionally I forget to put the marker back and I bring it home instead. Usually I'm so tired that the marker gets laid down where little hands can reach. This is what happens when Cailin gets her hands on the marker.

She colors on her face and hands!

Sometimes her shirts too!


It washes off pretty easily as this is not the first time it has happened. I think I have learned my lesson though.

Just hangin around....

Fifth Grade Dance

I have no idea when you began to look like a young lady and not like my baby anymore with your big smiles and those small perfect white teeth. You have become more and more independent. You have your own style of clothes that you like to wear and really don't care that I don't like it. You absolutely wanted this dress the moment you saw it, while I thought it looked more like a slip or pajamas. But you know what after you put it on, I thought you looked really amazing in the dress. Like.....well......"like a little lady".

You got a nice new haircut and your hair looked really nice. You were so patient with me taking pictures even though you really wanted to go into the dance. Especially since we could hear the music from the parking lot.

I don't know about your choice in nail polish though!

Ariel and some of her friends at the dance.

While Ariel was at her dance. Cailin and I hung out at the park that was across the way.

She kept the sunglasses on the entire time we were at the park.

11 weeks, 0 days

Today I went to the doctor for a check up and got to hear your heartbeat for the first time. It was so amazing. The doctor says that you sound strong and healthy. I hope that is truly the case. It was exciting and I guess today made it truly real. I have another human being growing inside of me! We also reached another decision concerning you. We have agreed that we would not find out whether you are a boy or girl until your birthday in December. So far, I feel ok and excited about that decision. However I can't make any promises about later or even the day of your ultrasound. I was sort of ok not finding out with Ariel, but by the end I could hardly wait. I definitely wanted to know with Cailin and now with you I feel I can wait until the big day and be totally surprised.

The Marine Science Center

I went on a field trip with Ariel's fifth grade class. Each parent that volunteered provided transportation to and from the Science Center and was responsible for their group. These was the group of girls that I had and they were a lively bunch, but very well behaved.

They were learning about DNA sampling here. The trip was educational and interesting. They taught about all the marine life and what people do to distroy it, by playing games and showcasing the different animals.

This was by far the coolest exhibit. The sharks and sting rays on ice.

They were allowed to touch and feel the animals while they played a game of fun facts about the sea creatures.

It was very fishy smelling.