Happy Birthdays to You!

Spencer and Grace both have January birthdays, so I'm lumping them together in this post since I'm getting a little behind.

I spent the week prior to Spencer's birthday in a feverish frenzy trying to find a saddle the right size for him. He's gotten very good at horseback riding and we thought he'd really enjoy having his own riding gear to use at his lessons. I finally found one online that I crossed my fingers and hoped would work, but it wouldn't be here in time for his birthday. I made a fun card and he did have some other horse equipment to wake up to on his actual birthday, so he was pretty happy with that and knowing his very own saddle was on its way. His grandparents made sure he was set up with all the Boy Scout gear he would need as he officially moved on from Cub Scouts. He is pretty excited to be doing some really tough scouting stuff this year. Spencer's birth grandparents sent him a funny card and some bandanas for all the cowboys and cowgirl around here. We had eclairs, as requested, rather than cake to celebrate. Happy 11th Spencer!

Official Boy Scout pants from Grandpa Ivie. He especially loves that the bottom of the legs zip off and they can turn into shorts.
Gold dollars from Grandma Ivie. What 11 year old boy wouldn't love a box of gold for his birthday?
Justin attacking Grandpa Ivie, as usual.
An official Boy Scout shirt and mess kit from Grandma and Grandpa Chamberlain.

It is apparent that one of Grace's great challenges in life is to learn patience. If it wasn't, she would have been born earlier in the month than Spencer. She hates that his birthday comes first. Frankly, she hates that anyone besides herself even has birthdays!

So, Grace waited as patiently as she could for the 23rd to roll around. When it did, she was well rewarded with her very own Flip camera and magnetic earrings! She is dying to get her ears pierced, but her fear of having that done trumps the desire to do it. So when she heard about magnetic earrings, she couldn't wait to get some. She kept asking and asking before her birthday so that I finally had to say, "Grace, maybe someone is going to get them for you for your birthday, so let's wait and see," and she got the hint. I included video we took of her opening her presents from us. I love her facial expressions! She also got tons of scrapbook/crafting supplies from both sets of grandparents so she can create to her heart's content and birthday money from her birth mom and birth grandparents. Grace requested birthday brownies for her family party. What's with none of my kids liking cake? Happy 9th my Gracie!



Gold dollars for Grace in a cute apple bag.