Happy 9th Clair Bear!

The day started out just as she planned. She was up in plenty of time for a good snuggle before we headed down to make pancakes before she even turned nine. 

We stopped to celebrate at 8:55 AM the moment she turned nine.

She had a lot of request for very specific food today. It started off with Mommy making homemade chocolate chip pancakes with the berry compote and fresh whipped cream. She enjoyed her breakfast tremendously. 

Then, grandma joined us for the celebration. Bringing with her some presents for Claire they had some good snuggles on the couch while watching House hunters international and waiting for a time when it was right to open presents. Ellie had had a friend spend the night so we didn’t wanna do it until she had headed out for the day. Claire was very excited. She had a long list of little things she wanted for her birthday this year and as she commented post opening her 17 presents “I got everything on my list!”

I’m very proud of his coat; I stitched her name on it. 

After present it was time to head to Frederick for two soccer games. Max was first and then we would have a bunch from Pizza pretzel creation. And then Clair have a game. We had a picnic at the park between the games and the kids played on the parks a little bit too.

Clair soccer game started off quite well when she scored the first goal for her team. It was also her first goal for the season. I love the way her face lit up when she scored that goal. She also had a huge smile as her team celebrated at midfield.

That smile is the best!!!!

After the games grandma headed down to aunt Katie‘s and we headed home. At home Clair began playing with her gifts and enjoying exploring each of them. I was on duty to begin making homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner. Everyone enjoyed dinner and we got to the homemade ice cream cake, which everybody enjoyed as well.

It was a really great day and Clara got to do pretty much everything she asked. The only downside was the sunburn that the kids came away with because I forgot to bring sunblock to the fields today. Bad mom!

This is the engineering kit she put together. It’s a pendulum that draws to make cool designs the glow in the dark. It’s really neat. She did it with only a little bit of help from David.

I may have made a mistake when I treated each of my kids birthdays like their own mini Christmases. Yes they are spoiled. And yes it’s exhausting. It starts weeks before with a gift procurement  and planning. The night before requires decorating including putting up the birthday treat balloons and fun stuff every year. They have come to expect it. I hope with all the spoiling that with my kids are grown up they look back and say boy our parents worked hard to celebrate us each year, I know they love us. I hope we haven’t spoiled them to the point that they don’t know how to appreciate celebrations that are not full of gifts. 

As Clair Bear comes in to nine, she’s just amazing. She is a joy to be around. She brings happiness and is a clear reminder of God‘s love every day and in every situation. Hey Joy is visible. She’s also very smart and she enjoys interesting adult conversation. She’s doing great in school. This Girl can be anything she wants to be. She will eventually need to figure out how to organize her self a bit, but no doubt that will come with time.

She is still determined to be a doctor when she grows up.

She loves her family and she loves God. When I asked her after prayers tonight what was the best part of her day she said spending the day with my family. She’s known to tell me that quite often.