She's Growing Way Too Fast!!!!

(She is very into posing for pictures lately!)

Happy 11th Birthday Charley!!!!

The boys have been home sick all week long. Ronny and I have been up the last two nights with Joseph trying to keep his breathing under control so we didn't have to make an ER trip if possible. Charley came in this morning before I was completely coherent and asked if she could have hot lunch at school today. We rarely let our kids have hot lunch just because its expensive and I feel we give them healthier stuff from home, so I said no. Immediately her eyes teared up and I asked what was wrong. She said that usually kids on their birthdays at her new school have their parents bring in a special lunch and eat with them. She said she knew that I couldn't come because the boys were sick but would really like something different than the stuff she usually takes. I felt terrible!!!!! Of course I said, as I just am now realizing its the morning of the 4th and its her birthday. She was so sweet to realize that the boys needed me at home and asked so nicely for something so simple as hot lunch at school. I even failed to get treats for her class and called to Ronny to hurry so they could stop at the store on the way to school. (With the boys sick I haven't been to the store yet this week!) The two of us have plans to go out tomorrow once Ronny gets home from work.

She is growing way too fast for Ronny and I. I can't believe she is so grown up already! When did that happen???? I'm seriously tearing up right now thinking about it. She is the best big sister the boys could ever ask for. She is so patient with them and really looks for opportunities to help them and us whenever she can. She's a contentious worker and just an easy going girl. No drama from her! We have had a few friends and family ask us what we did with her to make her so wonderful. We really just shake our heads and say sometimes you get lucky and get a Charley. (The same people never liked that answer until we point out that we are the same parents of "the boys" and then they always laugh and nod their heads!) We love her so much and are so lucky to have her in our family and leading the way for her younger brothers!

She really wants her ears pierced for her birthday. I had mine done at this age. Her Dad has told her no! He wants her to wait until she is 16. A few months ago she came to me begging to get it done. I told her it wasn't me preventing her, it was her Dad. She couldn't believe it. The look on her face was priceless, like her father had betrayed her. She was so sure it was me that wouldn't let her get them done. It was just a few weeks after that she and I went to the hair salon and I let her get the red highlights. I think now she appreciates that when it comes to girl stuff Mom is usually not the hurdle she has to pass, its Dad! (He wants to keep her young as long as he can, I don't blame him but sometimes I do help her out!)