Jane's birthday

Jane's birthday was lovely! We started the weekend prior when she had a sleepover with her friends. They started with minute to win it games:

Then they crafted:

They had ice cream sundaes and pizza for dinner:

Then they watched a movie (Wonder) and had a sleepover:

The next morning it was off to church:

On Sunday Grandma took her shopping! This is a fun tradition Grandma started years ago with Eleanor and now every kid wants to do it and so looks forward to it each birthday.

On Monday night I took my "last picture with my 10 year old!"

She woke up Tuesday morning to balloons!

It was a loooong day of school and field hockey. We decided skipping soccer was a good call so we would have time for presents, dinner, and cake! She came home to her birthday string:

Grandma was hiding on the string to surprise her:

Presents!

She loves her lacrosse shirt and blanket from Grammy and Opa!

And a label maker - Jane loves being organized!

We had penne for dinner and then it was time for cake! Strawberry with chocolate icing.

Jane, very dedicated getting the candles right. We counted twice after Eleanor put the wrong number on her own cake a couple weeks ago, hah!

Happy birthday, Jane!

We love this sweet girl!

Jane and Chris went out to breakfast on Saturday after her birthday!

Happy 11th birthday to our sweet Janer!

Jane is 11!

Jane is ELEVEN years old! Oh where to begin with Jane! She is 61.5 inches tall (almost 92% of the way to my adult height) and weighs about 95 pounds. This girl has both grit and heart like you would not believe. When she is determined, things happen. She crushed her 5th grade year getting straight A's and participating in safety patrol (for the whole year), chorus, Battle of the Books (competition team), Run Club, and started playing the trumpet. She played travel soccer, and rec basketball, lacrosse, and summer swim (medaling in all three of her events at the Champs meet). She is growing more insightful and has kept her empathy and kindness. She is rocking the transition to middle school, but is dragging her feet all the way. She joined the field hockey team as a manager this year, and we can't wait to see what other things she'll take on. She crochets, loves music, graphic novels, sports, and friends. 

Eleanor and Jane at 11:

Jane at one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, fifteen, and eighteen months old. 

Jane at two, two and a half, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten years old.

Beach and birthday

This year our small group decided to take a trip together! We opted for a weekend in the Outer Banks sans kids. It was a lot of fun! We spent two full days lounging on the beach:

Boogie boarding (mostly day 1 - day 2 was a little rougher!)

We went out to dinner at Waterman's

Played lots of games:

Watched several sunsets:

And spent time poolside:

It was lots of fun!

Meanwhile the kids had a blast at home with grandma! When we got home they had planned a birthday party for me! We grilled burgers and ate cake!

Happy 40th to me! No better way to spend a birthday!

That afternoon we hit the pool:

What a great group!

Thank you all for making my birthday so special!!