It's funny how my parenting style has changed... back when Holly and Greta were little, I was committed to a birthday party schedule of every other year with friends. I'm not sure when I threw that one out the window... but that idea has been dissolved and now my approach is embracing the parties! But also making them easy on myself. Fun memories with friends are especially important following a covid year. I suggested to Holly that we do tie dye for her birthday... she loved that idea and we ran with it! It was pretty easy. I asked her friends to bring a t-shirt to dye instead of a gift and I provided bandanas and scrunchies. This age group is pretty independent. I had told Holly ahead of time that I would do tie dye and cake and then step back and let her decide what she wants to do with her friends. They played hide and seek and other variations and had fun! And I caught my breath :)

Holly wanted Texas Sheet Cake. I had to laugh to myself, I didn't even know Texas Sheet Cake existed until I had lived in the states for a little while. Just raising my little Americans south of Canada.

My darling girl, my oldest child is 12 years old! How the years have flown. Holly is a kind and nurturing young girl. She's responsible and dependable. Holly loves to listen to an audio book while crafting - she could do that all the time! Holly loves the water and she's a strong swimmer. This past year, Holly has done a lot of new things like virtual school, Nordic skiing and mountain biking! I really like the person she is and I'm grateful I've been able to watch her grow into a really wonderful 12 year old!

For Holly's birthday, we were on our vacation in Loon Lake. Holly's a pretty easy kiddo to please. She chose all the meals and I made an ice cream cake. I really, really enjoyed celebrating her this year.

Happy birthday to me!

Maeve requested an Elsa birthday cake from Granny, and Granny delivered! I just love that look of pure joy and contentment on a child's face on their birthday. Makes my heart melt!

We drove to Canada on Maeve's 4th birthday. She was so excited and totally fine with that! We bought her slippers at a gas station on the way and she opened her present once we arrived at Granny's. Covid makes birthdays weird, so to celebrate Maeve, we made sugar cookies together and delivered the cookies with frosting and sprinkles to her preschool friends. It was a joyful activity!