Liliana's 10th Birthday Celebration & Birthday Interview

I truly can't believe it, but our third child hit double digits this week! Lily is such a sweet, smart, and funny girl, and we love her so very much. Turning a decade old is a big milestone, and we had so much fun celebrating her 10th Birthday!

We filled Lily's birthday with favorite traditions, favorite people, and favorite things. She started celebrating at midnight, took a small break to sleep, then was back at it at 7 AM. She didn't stop celebrating until her birthday was officially over, and then she simply crashed from exhaustion!

Every year, Lily claims it was the best birthday ever, and that says so much about her. Grant and I believe that because childhood is fleeting, birthdays should be magical. We make it a point to celebrate each child to the fullest on their big day, and they are always so grateful. Turning ten is a big deal, and we loved celebrating one of our most favorite people in the world!

Double Digits!!! Happy 10th Birthday, Lexie!

Well, it happened. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't slow down time. At 4:16 PM, my sweet Alexandria hit double digits! 

10th Birthdays are a big milestone. I mean, two whole hands old. An entire decade! I can hardly believe it. It seems like I was just reaching out to hold her for the first time, while weeping tears of joy over the chorus of "It's a GIRL!" that filled the room.

Joy is the perfect word to use to describe Lexie. She is incredibly loyal, kind, compassionate, accepting and loving.  She is mature well beyond her years and makes me proud every single day. I can't even feel sad about Lexie turning 10, because I am so proud of the beautiful human being she is becoming, and I am honored to watch her grow and call her my own. Today, I wept tears of joy again, because I adore her and I am unbelievably grateful for the gift of her love.  

To kick off her 10th year, here are a few pictures from her birthday photoshoot today, her answers to the yearly birthday interview questions and a look at how she celebrated her first double digit birthday! 

ALEXANDRIA ELIZABETH

 "Lexie" 

Age: 10

Stats: 58 lbs and 46 inches

1. FAVORITE COLOR? Yellow.
2. FAVORITE TOY? American Girl Dolls and Shopkins Happy Places.
3. FAVORITE CHARACTER? Spongebob Squarepants!
4. FAVORITE SUPERHERO? Spiderman???
5. FAVORITE FRUIT? Blueberries.
6. FAVORITE VEGETABLE?  Peas and Beans. Anything green, honestly. Except broccoli. Ewww.
7. FAVORITE BREAKFAST?  Cereal.
8. FAVORITE CEREAL? Mini Wheats, Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms and Corn Pops. I can't pick one, but I THINK my favorite has to be Lucky Charms.
9. FAVORITE LUNCH?  Build your own pizza lunchables.

10. FAVORITE DINNER? Of course tacos. And poppyseed chicken casserole. And mashed potatoes and gravy.
11. FAVORITE DRINK? Coca Cola and water, but I like water better, because water is healthy.12. FAVORITE SNACK? Snack cakes or Pringles. I just can't pick!13. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Either Taco Bell or Applebees.
14. FAVORITE TV SHOW?  Spongebob, Full House AND Fuller House. 15. FAVORITE MOVIE? Spongebob movies and the new Ghostbusters movie. 16. FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS? The lady who plays Stephanie from Fuller House.17. FAVORITE SONG?  House of Gold by Twenty One Pilots.18. FAVORITE SINGER/BAND? Fifth Harmony.19. FAVORITE BOOK? Mercy Watson. It's about a pig. It's really cool. It's like a first grader book, but I still really like it.

20. FAVORITE BOOK SERIES? Babysitters.
21. FAVORITE OUTFIT? A tee shirt with my jeans.
22. FAVORITE GAME? Uno and Pie Face.23. FAVORITE SPORT? I like soccer and I like dancing.
24. FAVORITE ANIMAL?  Bunny! I like any rodent, but not guinea pigs.25. FAVORITE PLACE TO GO? Any restaurant. I just want food all day long. 26. FAVORITE THINGS TO DO? Eat, sleep, and watch YouTube.27. FAVORITE SUBJECT? Science.28. FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL?  BunBun. And Blankie. And Meep. (An alpaca dog toy.)29. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Tuesday, Friday and Saturday!30. FAVORITE MONTH? February, July and December.

31. FAVORITE SEASON? Summer and Winter!32. FAVORITE HOLIDAY?  Christmas and my birthday. (Me: That's not a holiday.) Yes it is. 33. WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? Sukie! And Aubrey.
34. WHO DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY WITH?  Sukie, Aubrey and Lily!35. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?  Food and family.36. WHAT SCARES YOU?  Dylan's terrifying girl shrieks, spiders and clowns.37. WHAT MAKES YOU SAD? When I don't have food. And death.38. WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR? Mmmmm....I don't know. Actually, a hoverboard.39. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY?  When I got my hatchimal and when I got Bernie the bunny.40. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?   A scientist, a teacher, a blogger or a country singer.41. DISLIKES?  When Dylan doesn't play with me.

42. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR BIRTHDAY? Getting all my presents and seeing family.

43. WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF BEING 9? Getting Bernie and getting my hatchimal.

44. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO WHILE YOU'RE 10? Seeing what our baby bunnies look like when they are older.

Some of her answers this year made me laugh! Some things haven't changed much, and she's certainly indecisive. And obviously the kid loves to eat!

Birthdays are always a big deal in our home! We have a ton of birthday traditions that only add to the magic of childhood. Grant and I know from experience that birthdays aren't as exciting during adulthood, so we try to make them extra special while we can!

Lexie had an amazing 10th birthday! Here's a quick peek at her very first double digit birthday!

Birthday traditions start the night before! I always sit out our special Happy Birthday plate and a new candle, and hang up our Happy Birthday banner.  A small, wrapped gift is left next to the plate so they can start their day with a present! I fill their bed with balloons and hang up a brand new outfit for them to wear on their birthday. I think it all helps to make the day extra special!

It was a school day so we were up early this year. I recently gave Dylan the option to skip school on his birthday, but Lexie is a goody two shoes and loves school! She opted to go, despite her free pass! As soon as she woke up, she started her day with the traditional Happy Birthday donut breakfast.

After that, she opened her first gift of the day. Lexie only had a few inexpensive items on her birthday wish list and one of them was silicone water tube toys. She was (strangely) thrilled!

Lexie put on her new outfit, got on the bus, and spent the next 9 hours at school and after school choir. She got to unwrap another small gift that was in her lunchbox, which is a tradition we recently started. This was the first year I wasn't with her at the moment of her birth. I was a bit bummed about that! It's a sign of just how quickly she's growing up!

On the way back from choir, we stopped at one of our favorite photo locations for a mini birthday photoshoot. We had to be quick because we had places to be!

Finally, it was time for Lexie's birthday dinner! We let our kids choose the restaurant on their birthdays, and it's always interesting to see what they choose. This year, Lexie decided McDonald's was the birthday spot! She almost chose Applebees, but she really wanted fries and a milkshake!

After dinner, we headed home for a mini birthday party with our immediate family! (Pardon the not so clear pictures. Liam apparently changed my camera settings and touched my lens with his sticky fingers while I was grabbing all the gifts! I didn't realize this until AFTER I went through the photos!)

First up were the gifts from her siblings! Liam gave her more water tubes, Lily gave her a stuffed Elsa Tsum Tsum, and Dylan gave her a Shopkins Happy Places set. She loved everything!

After opening gifts from grandparents, it was time to give her our gifts. Lexie's wish list was very small this year. She only asked for water tubes, Tsum Tsum toys to collect, and Shopkins Happy Places toys. She isn't into toys as much, and I have a feeling this may be the last year she even asks for toys. We wanted to give her an extra special gift this year. Perhaps the last hurrah before she becomes a full blown tween who is too cool for toys...

Lexie still loves her American Girl Dolls, so we surprised her with something that wasn't on her list: An American Girl Doll diner! She was SO excited and it was definitely a huge hit!

Lexie's 10th Birthday celebration ended with cake. My mom bakes them a cake every year, and this year she filled Lexie's favorite vanilla cake with ice cream! Lexie looked so happy when we sang Happy Birthday!

Lexie's first year in the double digits is off to a great start. She was still smiling when she went to bed!

Happy 10th Birthday, Alexandria! You are incredibly special, absolutely stunning inside and out, and you are SO loved! 

Life Through the Eyes of a 10 Year Old

I said it before, and I will say it again and again:  I can't believe I have a 10 year old!!!



Dylan turned 10 back in November, so I've had almost nine months to adjust to the idea.  I'm still in denial! How can I possibly have a 10 year old?  Wasn't he just born yesterday? (He WAS.  Don't tell me otherwise!)

When we were expecting our first baby, I prayed daily for a girl.  I wasn't sure I would know what to do with a boy. Even during labor and delivery, I kept hoping for a girl.  But the moment I laid eyes on him, all my fears disappeared and I instantly fell in love.  He was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.  ALL I wanted was him. 

Somehow I blinked, and 10 years passed by.  Ten entire years.  Gone by in a flash.

And in that span of 10 years, my baby boy turned into a big kid.  

He no longer fits in my arms.  I can barely pick him up.  I can't even recall the last time I carried him. When he hugs me, the top of his head presses against my chin.  Those middle of the night trips into our bedroom to curl up in between us ended many years ago.  He can do everything himself and rarely asks for help.

I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I definitely feel a disconnection from him at times.  He's growing up and growing away from us.  My sweet, well-behaved, compassionate, loving, ANGEL of a boy is starting to show a hint of an attitude. He's starting to talk back and roll his eyes when we say no. He gets bored staying at home and wants to have sleepovers with his friends as often as possible. I never thought this day would come.

Although there are times when I have to bite my lip to fight back a scream of frustration, that incredibly sweet, innocent, loving, compassionate boy is still there. His teachers and other parents rave about him.  He treats everyone with kindness and compassion. He is an incredible big brother and his love for his siblings is evident in every picture I take. He is SO good that it makes those frustrating moments when he's testing us so much harder to deal with.

 He's growing up, but I see that sweet little boy every time I look into his eyes. Those same big blue eyes that gazed into mine when he was a preterm newborn.  That shone with pride as he took his first steps toward me.  That filled with tears when he got hurt. That begged me not to leave on his first day of school. That filled with love every time he met a new sibling. That sparkled with happiness almost every single day of his life. Those same eyes that are able to express without a word just how much he loves his family. And when he stares at me and smiles, I realize nothing has really changed. 

Dylan is truly an amazing kid and I am absolutely HONORED to be his mom. 



Because I completely forgot to post it this year, here is Dylan's 10 Year Interview: 

Dylan Ross
Age: 10
Stats: 4'10" and 65 lbs 




1. FAVORITE COLOR? Blue
2. FAVORITE TOY? WWE Toys (Favorite Wrestler?  John Cena!)
3. FAVORITE CHARACTER? Spongebob
4.FAVORITE SUPERHERO? Batman
5. FAVORITE FRUIT? Plums
6. FAVORITE VEGETABLE?  Peppers
7. FAVORITE BREAKFAST?  Pancakes
8. FAVORITE CEREAL? Corn Pops
9. FAVORITE LUNCH?  Mayo, meat, and cheese sandwich
10. FAVORITE DINNER?  Steak and Mashed Potatoes and Gravy



11. FAVORITE DRINK? Mountain Dew
12. FAVORITE SNACK?  Welch's Fruit Snacks
13. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? The Deck House
14. FAVORITE TV SHOW? Spongebob Squarepants
16. FAVORITE ACTOR?  Debby Ryan
17. FAVORITE SONG? Eminem - Rap God
18. FAVORITE SINGER/BAND?  The Misfits
19. FAVORITE BOOK?  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
20. FAVORITE BOOK SERIES? Harry Potter
21. FAVORITE OUTFIT? Jeans and a T-shirt with high tops



22. FAVORITE GAME?  Candy Land
23. FAVORITE SPORT?  Baseball
24. FAVORITE ANIMAL?  Frog
25. FAVORITE PLACE TO GO? McConnell's Mills State Park
26. FAVORITE THINGS TO DO? Play with wrestlers and play video games
27. FAVORITE SUBJECT? Science
28. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK?  Friday
29. FAVORITE MONTH?  November
30. FAVORITE SEASON?  Fall



31. FAVORITE HOLIDAY? Christmas
32. WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? Jack
33. WHO DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY WITH?   Jack, Dominic, Drew, Cole, and Evan
34. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? My family
35. WHAT SCARES YOU?  Spiders
36. WHAT MAKES YOU SAD?  When one of my siblings gets hurt
37. WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR?  I wish that I could have Lebron James high tops
38. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY? When we went to the hospital to meet Liam
39. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?  WWE Wrestler
40. DISLIKES?  Blueberries



TEN YEARS OLD. Yep.  I'm still in denial!!! My sweet baby boy, he will always be!

The Double Digit Birthday

On Saturday, the boy who made me a mom turned 10 years old!  I honestly can't believe an entire decade has passed since he was born, but it feels like he has been with us forever. 

Dylan came into the world a month early, at a time we needed some joy in our lives.  I wanted a girl so badly, but when I heard the words "It's a BOY!" and heard his first cry, I immediately fell in love with him.  He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. 



Bringing him home and taking care of him felt natural.  The transition into parenthood was seamless.  My fondest memory is from our first morning home from the hospital.  Dylan woke up at dawn to eat, and I brought him into the living room to feed him.  The sun was just beginning to rise and at that moment, the first snow of the season began falling.  The world was so quiet, peaceful, and beautiful, and I was so in love with the little miracle in my arms. 

I remember thinking that 10 years felt like it was ages away, but I blinked, and he turned 10. 

Dylan is a beautiful person, inside and out.  He has always been a loving, compassionate, kind, friendly, and polite kid.  He loves his family fiercely and is extremely loyal to his friends.  He genuinely cares about people and greets everyone he passes.  He always holds doors open for others, and loves to help people in need. Every teacher he had raves about how sweet and polite he is. He still hugs and kisses me when the bus pulls up, and doesn't care what others think.  He is a wonderful big brother, and an amazing son. 

This double digit birthday was bittersweet.  Dylan's growing up so quickly, and I admit, I cried several times throughout the day! That being said, it was a wonderful day devoted to celebrating our sweet boy's 10th Birthday!!!



Lexie slept over in the boys' room the night before, so they woke up to a roomful of balloons.  Dylan and Lexie were so excited that it was Dylan's birthday!



Soon after, Lily joined in the fun!



Donuts for breakfast are a family tradition.  I just may have sent Grant to the store at 1 AM because I forgot donuts (and balloons, napkins, plates, and a card)!  Singing happy birthday first thing in the morning is important to us.





After breakfast, we let Dylan open his presents.  He opened his card and his new birthday shirt first.



Next was a gift from each sibling.



Finally, he opened up his gift from Grant and I.  Obviously, something he never expected to get!



We only had a little bit of time before his family birthday party began.  We had a great time celebrating with our immediate family!

The cake made me laugh this year!  It's tradition for my mom to make every birthday cake.  The kids look forward to it every year! Dylan is into WWE and requested a wrestling cake.  My mom, who only had daughters, interpreted that as mud wrestling.  She created a mud ring by filling the cake with chocolate pudding, and sunk the WWE figures into the mud.  It was funny, and the cake was absolutely delicious.  This was the first year we didn't have any leftovers at the end of the day!



Dylan was thrilled with his gifts this year.  He is always so thankful for every present he receives.





He was also happy to spend the day with the people he loves most!

Nina and Papa, he loves his Kindle Fire HD!



Mawnaw, he loves his hoodie, Call of Duty building set, and wrestling cards.  He built the set that day and is wearing his hoodie today!



Thank you for the wrestling toys, Aunt Annie, Uncle Daryl, Brady, and Brandon!  They're a huge hit!



He's so excited about buying new books, Aunt Pam!  Thank you!



Aunt Sis, Uncle Mack, Michelle, Ryan, and Aubrey, thank you for the money and gift card.  He is saving up for something big!



It was a busy afternoon, full of fun!



After everybody left, we headed out for Dylan's birthday dinner.  Unfortunately, we had a change of plans. Dylan was so excited to go to his favorite restaurant for dinner, but there was an hour wait.  There was no way we could keep Liam and Lily occupied for an hour, in a tiny lobby, so he had to pick another place.  We ended up at Long John Silver's, and promised Dylan we would go back to his favorite restaurant next month.  He was bummed at first, but bounced back quickly!



That evening, some friends stopped by to wish Dylan a happy birthday.  We pulled out the cake remnants, and sang to Dylan one more time!



Dylan's best friend, Jack, spent the night, and Lexie's cousin, Aubrey, slept over, too.  The four of them joined up for a midnight Lego building session!



I honestly can't believe my baby boy is TEN!!!  We love him so much!



Dylan had a wonderful 10th Birthday!  He deserved it!