Happy 11th to EHJ!

Breakfast in Bed is our tradition.

The brekkie was a little lack luster this year ... 

not even a fruit on the tray.

But, it was her request ... 

a bagel with cream cheese and a glass of eggnog 

(dusted with cinnamon).

I simply look the other way when I read the ingredients list of the eggnog carton. 

It's laden with corn syrup, and doesn't expire until February

 (shouldn't a milk product be slightly more perishable than that?) 

But, it's her favorite beverage, and fun to be a little indulgent!

A Little Sisterly Love

Even the thirteen-year-old, who sometimes needs a gentle reminder that the world does not revolve her,

needed no such reminder today. 

She bought and paid for a sweet little shirt for her sister, 

wrapped it, included a thoughtful card, a touch of humor and a favorite candy.

Her little sister has been thoughtfully choosing and saving
The Birthday Girl's favorite chocolates.

Last night, in seven-year-old style,

she dumped them from the bottom of her backpack

 and tucked them into a gift bag, along with a dinosaur stencil.

To her credit, 

The Birthday Girl gave equal time and appreciation 

to each of her sister's very different gifts.

{I love our girls!} 

On Being a Tweenager

She requested a hoodie from abercrombie kids this year.

As I stood in line after navigating a series of dimly lit rooms, in the loud, 

dark, cologne filled store, with underage cashiers ...

I promised myself two things :: 

next time I would buy online (even if shipping was $10), 

and 

I would let her enter into this new age gracefully  ... 

I will not rush her to the next stage of life, 

neither will I wish her to remain in world of Hanna Andersson.

{And when she the other gift she wants
 is a Dr Suess t shirt,

 I will rejoice,

 and order it on-line, 

and be glad that she's not yet completely moved on!}