Flipping in to Double Digits

Little E is now ten years old! This year Eliza and Hazel got to celebrate their birthdays in California. We started the day with amazing doughnuts in Cherry Valley with Grandpa Great, then spent the rest of the day swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The highlight though was the incredible sand castle cake Jamie made for them...

As a birthday gift, Jamie took each of the girls on a date to the Shake Shake in her Mini-Cooper convertible. Could there be a cooler aunt!?!

They also got to go to Barnes and Noble with Grandma and Grandpa to pick out a new book. Eliza not only picked a book, but a journal as well. She has been writing in it regularly, and I'm sure it's full of wonderful 10-year-old gems. 

Ages change, but some things never do - like Eliza's love for chickens. 

And her passion for creating things. She has to have designed and created several dozen little projects this summer. 

Eliza has also recently developed an interest in photography. Her subjects are mainly poultry, but I find a fun selfie or two on my phone from time to time as well. 

Of course gymnastics remains another of Eliza's passions. She worked really hard this summer, and found out the middle of July that she was invited to join the Xcell Bronze competition team. She's SO excited! The last week of July she got to attend a team camp every day for two hours. She was in heaven. Gymnastics brings out the best of Eliza's work ethic, and we're proud of how much she applies herself. 

In order to participate on the gymnastics team, we told Eliza she would need to earn some of the money. Our kids don't get an allowance for regular chores (that's just part of life), so we wanted to think of some meaningful work she could do. I offered to start paying her to help watch the younger kids while I work from home a few hours a week. The deal was that they cannot watch TV; she has to lead an enriching activity instead. She also has to lead with love and kindness. So far she's taken a few shifts, and I've been impressed by her responsibility, fun ideas, and especially how she's handled herself. Instead of controlling them as a bossy, older sibling, she's tried her best to be diplomatic, fair, and kind. She has really risen to the occasion!

Sweet Eliza, we love watching you tackle life with your fierce (sometimes stubborn) determination. Thanks for your beautiful smiles and your hair that often smells like sunshine, 

for your silliness and awesome dance moves, 

for your spunk and big emotions (and your willingness to try each day to improve in channeling your big emotions for good),

for your ability to be a fast and faithful friend, 

and for your fearless soul. We love you EE!