Emma's 10th birthday

I struggle everytime one of the kids has a birthday, I really have a hard time believeing that they are that old or that I'm old enough to have a child that old. I know that this is part of life and I usually adjust fairly well until their next birthday comes along, but at the same time I think each time I feel this way it is a reminder to try and spend more time with each of them and to enjoy the time we have instead of being in a hurry for them to grow up.

Emma wanted brownies instead of a cake for her birthday this year. I was fine with that, but I ended up eating the majority of the triple fudge brownies by myself. They were too rich for most of the kids I guess.

Ten years old and she still has a little trouble blowing out birthday candles, I finally instructed her on how to hold her lips and not puff out her cheeks, we'll see if she remembers this next year.

This year her main present was going shopping with me and her sisters. This was at my suggestion since she couldn't really think of anything she wanted. We found this elephant while we were at Barnes & Noble looking for an elusive Junie B. Jones book. We didn't find the book, but she really liked the elephant.

She is so grown up sometimes, but I try to remember that she isn't as old as she seems and treat her accordingly. She is a very capable, helpful young lady, but she still has a hard time getting along with her brothers and sisters. I just need to keep reminding myself that this too will get better, just like every other struggle we have been through. We Love You Emma!!