Happy Birthday, Baylee!

Our Baylee girl is a big 7-year-old today! Somehow, when we weren't looking, she transformed from the cute baby above to a lovely girl of seven. And what a joy she has been!

Papa and I surprised Baylee at school today to take her birthday shopping and to dinner. She squealed with delight when she saw us, which always makes our heads grow a little bigger. Before we left we snapped a picture of our elite little group, The Middle Child. We understand each other.
Baylee's smile shows off the missing tooth she lost this week at school during lunch. She's now sporting two windows in that cute smile of hers. And her sweet personality and great sense of humor kept Papa and I entertained all afternoon. We had so much fun with her.

Baylee has a tremendous love for animals - live or stuffed. She chose a variety of animals when we shopped and was anxious to get home and show them to Jude and Sophia. I teased her that we should go to the pet store next door and pick out a puppy and surprise her parents. Of course, I knew better. They will let me slip some sugar to the kids once in awhile, but a puppy would get me in trouble for sure. Baylee has a black rabbit that is so docile and sweet, and she's a very loving and attentive "mama" to him. Taco Meat is lucky to belong to her.

Enjoy your birthday, sweet girl. We always have so much fun with you and are so proud of the smart, beautiful, and sweet girl you have always been. Happy birthday with all our love.

Happy Birthday, Callan!

My youngest grandchild, grandson Callan, is 4 today. Few things are sweeter than this blue-eyed blond cutie! This boy has personality!

It's so sweet how he compliments his Mommy daily by telling her she is pretty and soft. Sometimes we like soft, unless flabby legs or arms are involved. Fortunately, his Mommy is young enough to appreciate soft. He makes her feel like a million bucks.

This little fellow does a good job keeping up with his older siblings, yet is very anxious to get older. I remember wanting to grow up, too, but it comes too soon and the years pass quickly. Already I'm wondering how Callan got to be four years old this soon. He's so sweet and so smart.
Happy birthday, Callan, and please hang on to that precious baby face for awhile longer. Big hugs for your birthday and always all my love.

Happy Birthday, Thomas!

My oldest grandson is a handsome 10-year-old today. Thomas will spend the day with his cousin Jude and his parents at Legoland. These two boys love their Legos. He'll enjoy a family celebration tonight. I've already baked the chocolate chip cookies he requested.

These pictures are from our shopping trip and dinner in honor of Thomas's birthday. We had so much fun together. I was touched by the way Thomas read the words I wrote in his card and commented on them later to me. He'd paid attention! And he was so sweet and complimentary all evening. I adored all the attention I was getting from such a handsome young man.

Thomas chose three separate sets of Legos and I know he stayed busy the rest of the weekend just putting them all together. He has a knack for it, just like his Dad did. When the instructions are put aside and the imagination goes wild, I think it's constructive for the mind to come up with unique designs. Thomas has a natural talent in art and sculpture, and I'm always awed by his

creations.

How many women get to date such a handsome, younger man? I'm blessed.

Happy birthday, Thomas, and enjoy this special day of yours. I'm thankful I got to share in it with you and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I love you and I'm so proud of the young man you are. You have such an enormous heart.