Happy 9th Birthday Caroline!

On this day 9 years ago, my baby girl was born at 1:17 PM. She was the only one of my three children that I did not find out the sex before the birth--and we were positive she was a boy. Her grandmother Debbie could not contain her excitement over the first birth of a girl in the family in 47 years and headed to the mall, eager to buy everything pink in the tri-state area. And while my princess does like everything "girl"--hairbows, fancy clothes, lots of shoes--she is also decidedly tomboyish--climbing trees with Garrett, riding bikes and scooters, getting into wrestling matches.

We celebrated Caroline's birthday by taking her two friends--Lauren J. and Lauren B.--to "Art From the Heart" paint your own pottery center. They spent two hours painting a clay piece of their choice, which we will pick up in a week. We then headed back to the house for make-your-own-pizza, Carvel ice cream cake (with chocolate crunchies! Aunt Carrie is soooo jealous!), opening presents, playing outside, watching some movies, and finally a sleepover in the middle of the living room floor. Lauren B. and Caroline working on a dog bowl (LB) and "ice cream" bowl "(CW)
Lauren J. and her dolphin figurine

Garrett was meticulous in his work on the dragon figurine. He took way longer than the girls to finish up!

Caroline did a complicated stripe pattern of blue, purple, and green. This is supposed to be a small mixing bowl, but Caroline said "Un uh--it's MY ice cream bowl!"

Edward sighting! Emily posing with her favorite vampire.

Emily is also a fan of "Team Jacob". Here is she thinking "Oh....those precious lips..."

Yup, werewolves are cool too!

Hour 2.....still hard at work.

The baby was fantastically well behaved and was a greeter for everyone who came into the shop. I think the shop owner wanted to steal her, glaze her, and keep her forever.

Cake Time!

Making a wish....

Morning after....Garrett and I got Caroline a game called "Hedbanz". You put a card on a band around your forehead and ask Yes/No questions until you guess what's on your card. It was hilarous! "Is it an animal?" "Do you write with it?" "Is it metal?" "Is it pink?"