Hailey's had a Birthday!

And our oldest is eleven!  Crazy!  Bo and I were talking about that yesterday.  Bo asked me when I look back on my childhood when do my memories really begin.  Of course, I remember some things from a younger age, but I said probably forth and a lot more in fifth grade.  He said he was the same way.  I know lot of people that are the same way.  We then realized, we are not in what we call the "grace period" anymore.  We feel like the mistakes we've made up to this point won't really be remembered by our kids.  But, as they hit age ten or eleven that will change.  I think kids will remember gospel principles from younger ages, but that is more because they are taught more by the spirit as they attend church or when we study at home.  But many actual memories are harder to remember.  It's kinda overwhelming to think about and to add to the pressure Hailey is getting older and harder and as hormones, peer pressure, and drama begin to develop.  But, thankfully we can get help for our shortcomings.

Recently as we tried to adjust to this new life I've come to understand a little more about how Heavenly Father helps us when we seek it.  I've come to realize that Bo and I really need help and guidance from the Spirit,  Parenting is hard and we can only do our best.  But if I seek help and guidance from the Spirit, then follow it.  I will be able to say I did my best.

Anyway, back to the Birthday. Hailey's birthday was yesterday but she wanted to celebrate on Saturday. We were good with that. Being here in Hawaii, I was really having a hard time deciding what to get Hailey and decided to see if she wanted a shopping night with just her and me.  She loved the idea so last Wednesday her and I drove 45 minutes to the closest mall and shopped.  It was so fun!  She picked out a lot of fun stuff. Mostly accessories at Claires which she wouldn't normally get.  I told her she had to wait until her birthday to have them.  So, I wrapped them up and she couldn't wait until her birthday to actually get to keep them.

We started the morning with her favorite. Crepes filled with chocolate pudding, strawberries, and cream.  I know, super healthy.

We then opened presents!

Before

After

This was a surprise to go with her candy bar molds.  She was super excited!

That afternoon she invited her friends from school to the movie Pan. We had cake and ice cream before and the girls colored their hair with hair chalk.  If you need something to take up about 25 minutes of time with girls; hair chalk is great.  Although we learned the hard way that it is kinda hard to get out.

We had cake and ice cream with the family tonight.  She was too sick from the treats Saturday, she couldn't eat any more treats.

At age 11 Hailey loves:

TV
Reading
Chocolate
Friends
TV
Drawing and art
Sea Turtles
Idaho
Did I mention TV?
Swimming
Baking

We Love:

How helpful she is
How great she is as an older sister and loves helping with the younger boys
That she loves babysitting
Shopping with her
Going on Dates with her
How well she is at baking
She is really sweet when she wants to be :)
How creative she is
She's a free spirit and doesn't care about what others think.  She makes choices for herself.  Not others