Ainsley is 12!

On Friday we celebrated Ainsley's 12th birthday. We woke up extra early so she could open presents from family because after school was going to be one continuous party with her friends. Plus Kaylee had basketball practice that evening, so she and Chris weren't going to be there for part of her celebration. 

In December I secured tickets for Ainsley to go see Taylor Swift (her all time favorite) and have been holding on to them for her birthday. It was soooo hard not to tell her. She was thrilled!

 

I was very impressed with Kaylee. She's hoping for a ticket for her birthday, but there wasn't one complaint about not getting a ticket as well.  She is going too, but she won't know it until her birthday (shhh, don't tell).

After school, two of Ainsley's friends came home with her. They decorated her cake together (Ainsley's request). She also found and made a cute party favor that was an idea in her American Girl magazine.  

The rest of her friends arrived at 5:00. About half were from school and half from church, so Ainsley requested we play a get to know you game. It was a great idea. It got the party going and gave them something to do before pizza arrived. Ainsley had a great time with her friends, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. They ate lots of junk food, played Just Dance 4, stood around the piano singing while Ainsley played a Taylor Swift song, watched "Aquamarine", and hung out like 12 year old girls do. It was pretty loud, but the girls were all polite and got along well. 

It was a fun night! I know I always say this on my kid's birthdays, but I really can't believe Ainsley is 12! On Sunday she left Primary for the Young Women. She also sang a solo in Sacrament Meeting. She's so grown up. I kept hearing compliments about how well she sang and what a great kid she is, and it's true! She is such a good example to Kaylee and Landon. Don't get me wrong, she has her moments as we all do, but this girl is going places. Happy Birthday Ainsley! We love you!

  

Kaylee is Crafty

Last year Grandma and Grandpa Gadd gave Kaylee a sewing machine for her birthday. The pedal on the machine is very sensitive, so after trying it out a time or two she panicked a little and put it away. She hasn't wanted to try to sew with it ever since. Lately she's been doing a lot of hand sewing (what can I say, the kid is crafty). She's been making her own button holes on doll clothes she's created, and she's spent many hours meticulously hand stitching her latest creations. I've been telling her that if she'd use her sewing machine, her crafts would most likely last longer, so last Saturday she braved the sewing machine again. Once she got used to the pedal, she was a whiz. I gave her some practice assignments, and then we started on her latest creation. We searched online for simple sewing projects and found a tooth fairy pillow. Since Landon is starting to lose teeth, she decided to make him his very own toothy pillow. She stitched up this cute project with minimal help, was able to pass off a Faith in God goal, and made her little brother quite happy. 

Landon Lost a Tooth!

Today Landon lost his first tooth. He was so excited a month or so ago to learn that he had a loose tooth. By bedtime last night he almost had it out. I thought for sure he'd need no help, but he got impatient this morning and practically begged me to pull it. He really wanted it out before church so he could tell his friend Shane all about it. I warned him that it might be a little painful, but he didn't care. He looked a bit shocked when I yanked it, but once he saw that it was out he was thrilled. What a cute new smile he has!

It's hard to believe that Landon is starting to lose teeth! He's growing up so fast. Too fast. He told me he was sad to be going back to school tomorrow because he'll miss me. I gave him a hug and told him I'd miss him too. Maybe it's because they're getting older (Ainsley turns 12 in less than two weeks!), and I just know they're going to be all grown up and out on their own before long, but it seems like it's getting even harder to let them go (especially after extended school breaks). I guess I'll just make sure to enjoy every moment that I can - like the joy on Landon's face today when he held his first lost tooth in his hand. Ahh, sweet memories.

Merry Christmas!