And Then I Had A Child That Was A Whole Decade Old

Back at the end of May, Laylah turned 10! It was such a fun day celebrating this special girl that we love dearly. She requested stuffed French toast, bananas, juice, and sausage for breakfast.

She went to school in a new outfit and shoes, and took cupcakes and juice for her a class treat to celebrate. There is a boy in her grade that has had a huge crush on her all year and always gets her gifts at different holidays. He wrote her a book about all the reasons he likes her for her birthday. So funny. She said she had a great day at school celebrating and all her friends sang to her.

After school, we got slurpees, and then Laylah went to her sewing lesson while I got dinner ready. We had her choice of pot roast, carrots, broccoli, rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy, strawberries, and lemonade.

After dinner, we had a little family party. She chose a chocolate bundt cake with caramel sauce and whipped cream, along with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

Laylah only asked for some new clothes. She got 2 new swimsuits (one from us, and one from grandma Claudia and Papa Bry, along with some earrings), some sunglasses, another outfit, and a miniature globe (she loves to play school). She got money from grandma and grandpa Collette as well as a brainquest book. She got money from Grandma Marge, and lots of cards in the mail from aunts and uncles. Grandma Darlene gave her a new levi jacket. She got taken out to lunch too, by both grandma Claudia and grandma Darlene. This gal was spoiled! 

And last, but certainly not least.... she got the gift of her dreams that she didn't even dare ask for because she thought it would be too expensive. An ipod touch. Oh man, I took a video of her opening it (I disguised it in a huge box filled with newspaper) and she was screaming and jumping around and SO excited. It was adorable.

We sang Happy Birthday, and had cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday to my Laylah Girl.

Laylah at 10:

Laylah is so responsible, thoughtful, sweet, and kind. She puts up with a lot being the oldest of 5, and helps out so much. I don't know what I would do without her. She loves to help clean, and is always asking what she can do to help me. She is excellent with children, especially babies. We like to joke that she is the Baby Whisperer, because she can get any kid to like her. She has been baby-sitting for us for the last 6 months or so, and she can't wait until she is old enough to babysit for other people. Maybe one more year? She also loves to cook and amazes me with the things she can do. She made cookies completely all by herself last week, with no supervision. She thought I would be mad that she used the oven without asking, but since the house didn't burn down, I was just amazed. They were delicious! That's another thing about Laylah.  She loves food, and the girl can eat. I have yet to find a food or treat that she doesn't like. She is always so complimentary of anything I cook, and she always cleans her plate. She also has a bigger imagination than anyone I know, and doesn't care who knows it. She plays school, dress-up, etc. and she she plays out loud. She talks and bustles around talking to no one in particular while she plays her game. I have learned to tune it out, but when someone is over that isn't used to it, they kind of look at me questioningly like, "What is she doing?!" and I kind of shrug it off with a laugh, explaining that she just likes to play. It's quite hilarious. She is kind of in that in between stage where she wants to be a grown-up, but she still loves to play like a little girl. I love it, and hope she stays little for as long as she possibly can.

Laylah loves school and excels in reading and spelling. She received an award from the principal at the end of the year for perfect grades and citizenship. She reads at an 8th grade reading level and just does so well in all areas. She loves school and loves to learn. I hope this never changes for her. She makes friends easily and is a leader among her peers. Her teachers often tell me that they are glad she is such a great example because everyone wants to be her friend. I hope she is always kind.

Laylah is athletic and loves to run, play sports, ride her bike, rollerblade, and swim. She plays outside a lot, takes Sadie for walks, and loves to run over and play at the park near our house. She is quite a social butterfly and wants to be playing with friends at all times. She has so many great friends, a lot of them right around the corner. She is always texting me on her ipod touch telling me she's at so-and-so's house, and then she's going to so-and-so's house. Her friends' parents tell me she is so polite, which as a mom, I love. I hope she always remembers her manners.

Another thing that impresses me with Laylah is her love for the gospel. She started fasting at 8 years old, and never misses a fast Sunday. She reads her scriptures every night, and loves to have gospel discussions. She will bear her testimony, and loves to speak in primary. She has been writing her own talks for a couple years now. She memorized all 13 articles of faith last year, and she says that she will serve a mission when she turns 19. I hope her fire for the gospel never dims.

I love this Laylah girl so much, I can't even describe it. Like I said before, I really don't know what I would do without her. While I was at Girls' Camp last week, Andy had to work and she sat at home with Magnus and babysat for 3 days straight, without a complaint. She read to him, played with him, fed him, put him down for naps, changed his diapers, everything. She amazes me. Andy took her to Leatherby's for ice cream as a thank you, and she was so grateful for that and said she was happy to do it and didn't need anything at all. I just love her so much and am so grateful for all she is and does. I hope she is always happy and bringing joy and help to others like she does now.