Double Digits

In just 10 short years, my oldest has gone from this:


to this:

How is it possible that she has grown so much?  Paige, constantly amazes me.  She always rises to the challenge.  She is a born nurturer (although her sisters and brother sometimes wish she wasn't).  Even at the sweet tender age of 2 she watched over her twin sisters and made sure they never cried for long.  I often found her in their crib reading stories to them or singing them songs.  She is always willing to help and I often forget that she is only 10. 

For her birthday, in the absence of Wendy and company, Paige invited our sweet adopted grandparent neighbors over for her birthday dinner.  Although it was much quieter with this new group of family, we still had a great time.  I love watching Paige's enthusiasm while opening her presents - "Just what I always wanted!"  It's not that I am a great present buyer, she is just so easy to please!

She chose to have a "luau" party this year with her girlfriends - 7 cackling girls!  They dressed up in grass skirts and leis and did the limbo, swam and had a BBQ (much to her father's intense pleasure to provide!).  Her cake request this year was a new one for me, but definitely an easy one.  She asked for a "cookie cake". So, armed with a large batch of cookie dough, that's what we made.  And in the process, we also made one happy little girl.

I love you my big, big, girl.  There are days I wish you were still hanging around my ankles, and then there are days I can't wait to share grown up girl times with you too.  You are the perfect first child.