Emi is double digits!

Dear Emi, 

Happy 10th birthdayyyyyy! I can't believe you're double digits now! Between that and the fact that you're headed for 5th grade in the fall, it really feels like you're in pre-teen mode which makes us a bit sad but we're also really excited for you. 

On the day of your birthday, you decided to stay home from camp and spend the day with grandpa, mommy, and baba. We went shopping for party snacks and supplies, then went out to Zinnia's for lunch.

Then, on Saturday, we had two parties for you: first we had one at our house with 4 of your friends. Here is all the kitty cat themed fun:

Then, we headed over to grandma's house to have a party with our family for both you and for mommy, whose birthday was last weekend:

And, as always, here are photos of you from each month over the last year to see how you've grown:

August 2023

September

October

November (this is just about the only photo from November
because mommy was sick most of the month!)

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

And here are the answers to your annual birthday interview!

Favorite toy: Legos

Favorite game: Harry Potter (outside team game played at camp)

Favorite thing to do inside: listen to audiobooks, most specifically Wings of Fire

Favorite thing to do outside: climb trees

Favorite place to go: Japan!

Favorite book: Wings of Fire

Favorite TV show: Ultimate Beastmasters

Favorite movie: The Secret Magic Control Agency

Favorite song: Imagine by John Lennon

Favorite animal: cat

Favorite breakfast: French toast

Favorite lunch: sushi

Favorite dinner: tempura

Favorite fruit: kumquat (Estella let you try hers)

Favorite vegetable: carrots

Favorite drink: lemonade

Best friend: Emmeline, Estella, Delilah, Asyianna, Ida, Eevi, Nora...

Biggest fear: heights, darkness, and being alone when it's dark

When you grow up you want to be: artist

Things you take to bed: Brownie (new wooly bear stuffy that was a gift from Maya), Derp, my blankets, my pillow, and my tablet because I listen to audiobooks

We love you, sweet girl! You're growing up too quickly but we're so so proud of you. Happy birthday!

We are so proud!

Dear Maya and Emi, 

You've finished another school year and accomplished so, so much lately, that I knew I needed to put together another blog post before someone's birthday in a little over a week! So here's what we've been up to since May. 

• So many accolades: Maya, you were in the top 6 at the science fair, you won a $250 gift card in an essay contest, and (bringing mommy to tears) you were announced as having the top marks in your whole grade! You were also chosen for an accelerated program so you'll be learning high school math and science in the fall. Emi, you had an amazing report card, you performed in another concert playing ukulele and singing (some in French!) and you'll be starting percussion in the fall!

• Maya's half-birthday: our origami themed party to celebrate with your friends was a blast!

• The end of the school year: Emi, we're going to miss your sweet teacher, Mrs. Castle. And Maya, you had too many teachers to name but they were awesome, too! We celebrated with lunch at the Bartlett House after your last day of school. 

• Spending time outside: we've been hiking, we're growing new plants, and our farm share has started!

• Mommy-daughter dates: Emi, you and I went to a cafe and some shops within walking distance of our house and Maya, you and I went to lunch and a shop and to the riverfront in Hudson!

And yesterday was the start of camp! We're so proud of you both and excited for you to have a super fun summer. Love you!