We have decided to make 12 a big birthday here since it ushers the kids into Youth group at church. We had made a plan to make it special for her. A shopping outing to get her special clothes and then a fancy dinner out with just Dad and Mom. Her birthday was on a Friday, so she and Ben were going to go skiing because the skiing program for home schoolers was going on at the time. On their way home, she and Ben were going to pick up supplies for "floats" and as the new President, Mr. Trump, took office, I was getting pizza dough ready for her requested dinner of pizza. The next day, we were going to go to Watertown for some shopping and then for a fancy dinner locally.
That Friday, all was going as planned, until Ben had the concussion. As he was ushered to the hospital, Elena was encouraged to stay behind and eventually calmed down enough to ski some more. We had our pizza dinner, albeit in a less celebratory way than expected. Ben valiantly sat through the ice cream floats madness, and then the kids were put to bed.
I can't remember for sure, but I think this was taken on her birthday morning, as she left for skiing.
Quick breakfast with dad before skiing.
Plans for the next day, obviously had to change. I can't remember any more how long it took for us to make up the plans for her. She waited patiently and graciously though, and I did eventually take her out (on my own) to Massena for a shopping trip and we bought a few outfits. I took her to a local salon to get her hair cut and styled. Then that night we took her out to dinner at 1844, which is a really fancy place that we only go to on very special occasions.
First *real* salon appointment just for her.
The months that ushered this creative girl's 12 birthday took her to Spain for three weeks and to Paris for a few hours. She loved every minute of it! She continues to be a voracious reader, and keeps reading books over and over again because I can't possibly keep up with providing her enough titles on a timely basis.
She has begun baby sitting here and there, for us and for a few other people and she is the most fun. I always come home to evidence of some great and fun endeavor she did with her siblings, making slime, hot cocoa with whipped cream, snacks with nutella, whatever she can think of! She makes everything fun!
She is very quick to repent, when she is confronted with wrong doing, and has a very tender and teachable heart. Her dreams for the future are so many and of such broad scope! I love to hear her dream and plan. I know not all her dreams come true, it just isn't practical, but even seeing her grow and those dreams grow in maturity with her is such a privilege!
It warms my heart that although she is the oldest of 6 children (soon to be 7), and although she could be weary of having to share Dad and Mom's attention, and from the sacrifices that she is called to make as the oldest of a large family, she keeps telling me "I hope this isn't your last baby, Mama". She asks often how the baby is doing, when I felt them move last, she offers to pray for me when my body suffers the inclemencies of carrying another human being inside 24/7. We're so thankful for her heart and the gift she is to us! Happy 12th birthday, my girl!