Audrey's Birthday

I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to start a fundraiser a few days before Audrey's birthday.  I was not expecting the amount of orders to come flowing in after I posted about Wyatt.  The orders amounted to 230 dozen cookies.  I never could have imagined the amount of baking and cooking that would require in starting the process. To start out with I was making cookie dough for a couple days shy of a week.  After making the dough I would form the dough into balls an freeze them 5 dozen at a time.  My entire deep freezer was full of cookie dough and a box more at my friends house.

I wasn't even finished with making dough let alone cooking cookies and Audrey's birthday came along.  I had promised that we would invite her friends to the park and eat cupcakes.  I didn't want to do a friend party but Audrey really wanted to celebrate with her friends.  

I had decided on the day before her birthday so that Paul and I could devote her birthday to family.  I was elbow deep in swig cookies when the time arrived to go to the park.  I ran to the store to buy a cupcake mix and some frosting because there was no way that I was going to bake cupcakes from scratch at this point.  We baked them together and made it to the park a couple minutes late.  

I don't know what it is this year but the hornets are out in droves.  It's like going out for a picnic in the middle of summer and having flies all around you and in your food, only these guys surround you and they have stingers.  

When we arrived there were twenty hornets surrounding and landing on our cupcakes and even after the cupcakes were eaten we were still being mobbed.  Needless to say, it might have been a bad idea to bring food to the park.  Nobody stayed longer than 30 minutes; I was surprised they stayed that long.  Audrey had fun though and she was so happy that I took a break to spend some time with her.  The next day was her birthday and even though 30 dozen cookies were supposed to be picked up on Monday I tried to make Saturday about her.  She had made a lot and would continue to make a lot of sacrifices as far as my time was concerned so I wanted her birthday to be special.  

She had a couple requests.  She really wanted to go out to eat for lunch so we went to sonic and made a stop at dairy queen to pick up an ice cream cake (I was in no mood to make the carrot cake she asked for).  We decorated the house together and read books. We made bead necklaces and opened presents.  She played with her doll for hours in the little tent we made for her and at the end of the day we roasted marshmallows on the fire and just sat.  The day was exactly what we all needed and now we have a seven year old.

She has grown an inch and a half since last year.  I feel like she's creeping up on me and before I know it she'll be as tall as me.  She's the sweetest little girl I know.  When little kids come around our house she is always ready to help and get them anything they need.  She's the best little Mom and not in an overbearing way.  She has this little 3 year old friend and she told me that she loves his smile so she always does everything she can to make him laugh. 

She loves to make friends with every little kid we see.  She always walks away from the park telling me she made a new friend.  She never wants to play with her friends that we meet there, she always goes for the kids she's never met.  I feel like I have a lot to learn from her.  

She's always leaving me surprises.  I came out of my bathroom one morning and she had made my bed.  She leaves me notes and is always drawing beautiful pictures of our family.  She loves to read and write.  They are still her go to when she's bored.  She started gymnastics this year and she loves going.  I guess it was best that we left ballet behind.  She often laments that she's not as good as the other girls but she has a drive to be better and is always practicing...if you know Audrey well enough that's a big deal because she has to love something to want to keep doing it.  I'm so proud of her!

I love you tons Audrey and I feel blessed everyday to have you as my little girl!  Being a Mom is something I have always wanted and the fact that you made me one makes me happy and grateful everyday.  Happy Birthday!