Happy Birthday Sweet Pea

My baby girl turns twelve today!

Happy Birthday to my smart, beautiful, compassionate, determined, athletic, creative daughter.

We love you and the joy you bring to our lives each day. May this next year be the best one ever!

We love you!

Daddy Daughter Dance

The annual Daddy/Daughter Dance was last night for Mr. Pearl and Sweet Pea. The two of them look forward to this special evening each year, and I do, too. I love the fact that to Sweet Pea, her daddy is Prince Charming and they have a very special bond. I hope this lasts for a long time. Like, for another thirty years or so. Maybe that will keep her heart from being broken by some young man! Okay, I don't really want that, but it might save a lot of heartache.

I love my sweet girl and the young lady she has become. She is practical and wise beyond her years. Back in December, we purchased a couple of dressy dresses. We had intended them to be worn at Christmas and then for this dance, but she has really had opportunities to wear them, and I thought that a new frock would be special and well received. Wrong! Sweet Pea felt that her dresses were great. Really? A middle school girl that does not want to shop for a new dress? Uh, I didn't know what to say.

So, I insisted that we go and look on Thursday after school. We had a quick errand at Target and then I was going on to the Mall. What does girlfriend do? Looks through the clothes at Target and comes to me as excited as if she was at Bergdorf's or Bendel's -"Look at this, Mom! It's perfect!" And you know what? It was. A few accessories and we were done!

Yesterday, the day of the dance,  was an afternoon like any other Friday afternoon. We arrived home from school and all the mini-pearls dispersed to their rooms. Sweet Pea started to get ready for her evening. This included fixing her own hair, as I make it too pouffy. She came to my room for a little makeup application. She doesn't normally wear any, but for special occasions. (Yes, I know the day is quickly approaching.) I helped her put her outfit together and put on the finishing touches. She was so cute, as she did not want her daddy to see her until she was completely ready. We then made the reveal in the living room....

Something was wrong. Where was my baby girl? And who was this young woman with my husband? Time is marching on way to fast. She doesn't need to stand on her daddy's feet to dance with him. She is starting to wear makeup and has opinions about everything. She is so poised and grown-up. I guess I have done something right, as she is pretty amazing. It has just happened so fast!

Happy Saturday!

Krissy

Paris ( and London) in Spring

I never claim to be the most prompt person on the planet and this just proves it. Sweet Pea went to Paris for Spring Break with my mother-in-law and I am just now getting around to downloading and organizing  her pictures. Bless her heart, she has been so patient with me. I wanted to share some of the highlights with you. What an amazing time they had! They were able to get away for one day, and head across the channel to London. My girl loved London! I guess it is in her genes. Paris was fun, too. Sweet Pea was thrilled by the Eiffel Tower (an item on her ten year old bucket list - check), she loved all the churches (her words), Parisian hot chocolate scored big with her but macaroons did not. She purchased a green beret and came home wearing a very grown-up scarf tied around her neck. Yes, Paris (and London) in Spring are wonderful!

Sweet Pea took a lot of pictures of food - this was her favorite hot chocolate

My baby girl on the Eiffel Tower

The green beret

This was her "Look Mom, I am in London and you're not!"

 

Having her portrait drawn by a cafe in Paris

The City of Love

Sweet Pea and her Parisian scarf - so grown-up!

Au Revoir!

Krissy

All of the pictures today were taken by my Sweet Pea!

Bump, Set, Spike

Sweet Pea is officially a middle schooler, sort of. Fifth grade is a time of transition at our school and although it isn't "technically" middle school, fifth graders are learning the tough lessons that will help them survive the middle years and beyond. So, athletics are offered. I think this is partly to prepare these kids for middle school and partly because our wonderful, yet small school needs the fifth graders to field enough players for teams. Whatever the reason, Sweet Pea is stoked and rocked the court at her first volleyball game last week.

Have I ever mentioned that my darling girl is a tad competitive? Don't ever tell this girl she can't do something, because doggone it, she will. I must admit though, she is a good little athlete. I love watching her play. I did get in trouble though (by her) because I cheered. And other people heard me cheer. And in fifth grade, that is apparently not cool. Maybe this really is middle school. The attitude sure reeks of teenage angst. Anywho, this year, Sweet Pea has decided that not only is she going to conquer the volleyball and basketball courts, she is going to get her pointe shoes in ballet. She took a year off of ballet to pursue jazz and musical theater and now has to make-up for lost time. I think that the fact that the cards are stacked against her (and the fact that her bestie is already in her pointe shoes) make this even more attractive to her. I'll keep you posted on that one. I have a hard time with the whole ballet thing. Give me a good jazz hand any day.

Hope you are enjoying your pursuits whatever they may be!

Toodles!

Krissy

A Decade of Sweet Pea

July 7, 2001

It's a girl!

July 7, 2002 - one year old!

This was your sixth birthday and right before you cut your hair for locks of love.

Your Baptism - February 7, 2010

Happy 10th Birthday Sweet Pea!

Ten years ago today, you came into the world and blessed our lives more than we ever thought possible. You are a light in our lives. You have a servant's heart and you deeply care about others. You are the peace-keeper. You love the stage - dancing, singing and acting. You keep our family laughing with your jokes and impersonations. The world is your stage! I cannot believe that you are ten years old! You are a beautiful, young lady - inside and out. You love the Lord and I know He has wonderful plans for you. Bless you precious daughter!

We love you!

Mommy, Daddy and your brothers