9 is Fine!

Today our baby girl turned 9 years old!!  I still recall the day she was born as if it was yesterday, so it is crazy to think she has celebrated 9 birthdays!  As it happens every year, Bennett's birthday falls right at the end of the school year.  This year, it fell on Spirit Day at her school, and during an important conference for Steve.  Therefore, we began celebrating Bennett a week ago when I took her shopping.  But the fun didn't end there....we celebrated all this weekend too!

Friday, I was the mystery reader for her class, and then I had lunch with her.  Saturday morning was a "Bennett Day," where she got to choose what we did.  We started with donuts for breakfast, followed up with a playdate at her friend, Tate's house.  This part worked out great since we needed to hit the ballpark for one of Preston's baseball games, and she hates going there all of the time.

As soon as the game ended, I picked Bennett up just in time for a family lunch at Sam's Sandwiches, and a quick visit to Homewood Toy.  As soon as we got Walker to sleep, she insisted on baking her own birthday cake (lemon cake with lemon icing).  Then we ran out the door to get our pedicures!  She convinced me to choose a fun color, so I went with blue, and Bennett chose green (colors of the ocean, as she said).

That night, we dropped the boys off at Mimi's house and the three of us went to a restaurant of her choice.  Bennett chose Brick & Tin.  She got all dolled up, and we all enjoyed the one on one time together.  Of course, no dinner is complete without dessert - so off to TCBY we went before calling it a night.

she loved making and decorating her own cake

Sunday was another beautiful day, so we took a family walk in the morning, and just enjoyed the pretty day outside playing.  After baseball practice, Steve and Pres brought Bennett some pretty spring flowers.  But of course, her real birthday is today, May 23rd, so we had to make it special too!  She awoke to balloons, and lots of presents.  She racked up with Ivviva athletic clothing and cash, so she was very happy.  This afternoon, the Bantas came over for cake and then we had an impromptu dinner with them.  I think she had a great day - we sure hope it was a special birthday!

modeling one of her new jackets

Annual Birthday Interview

Bennett we love you so much!  I still can't believe how grown up you are and what a lovely lady you are becoming right before our eyes!  We love you so much!