Our first baby is 10!

It's hard to believe that 10 years ago today, we brought this little bundle home. I don't feel like I've changed that much, but looking at old pictures, I guess I have. (And so has Michael's hair.)
And this girl definitely has! It's hard to believe that our big girl is now 10 years old!


We had fun celebrating her birthday, although we didn't have any pink ponies on her birthday cake this year. A card and gift from great-Nonna Aliberti. She's so amazing to always remember. Thanks, Grammie.Spencer actually being helpful.
A party with friends last night.
David getting in on the action.

A few curve-balls thrown while preparing for the party yesterday: After complaining of a sore throat the night before, Emma woke-up saying it still hurt. So my carefully choreographed "day-of-a-birthday-party" plans -which also included helping at the elementary school, Spencer's first day of gymnastics, and a trip to Target for groceries and last minute stuff - had to fit-in a trip to the doctor for a strep test. I have learned not to ignore sore throats - esp on a Friday. Once I get to the doctor's office I always start doubting myself, and then they say, "Yep! It's positive!" Not only that, but David's diaper overflowed all over the couch that morning. Luckily we have slip-covers, but I hadn't factored washing and drying the couch slip-cover into my plans that day either. Oh well, it needed it anyway and now it's done.

I feel like I'm so uncreative when it comes to planning birthday parties, so I always try to do some kind of craft project - esp with little girls - to not only kill time, but to have a party favor at the end. I've learned from experience that three craft projects is too many. So now I stick to one. :) This was a simple one, but they turned out cute. We got the boxes at Robert's Crafts (shout-out to Luke :) and Laura cut the vinyl letters for us. It was fun to see how they turned out.
This party was cute, funny, and predictably unpredictable complete with destructive/annoying 4-year-old brother and guest who called 45-minutes before the party started to see if she could bring another friend. (That was new one!) My favorite is still last year during present time when, after opening a gift from one friend, we thanked her and she said, "Oh that's okay. I got it for Christmas, but I didn't really need it." SO FUNNY!

Here's Spencer with his painted box at the little brother/strep-throat sister table.