Party Weekend for Aubs

Ready for birthday breakfast with Grandpa on Saturday morning

It was a My Little Pony birthday this year, and of course, she had to choose a pony with all the colors of the rainbow for her cake, which meant lots of frosting colors and decorator bags/tips. The things we do for our children...Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were the featured ponies.

With Caroline in their matching ballerina outfits.

just sitting and chatting with Grandma

Aubrey had a wonderful time at her family party, but you wouldn't have known it from her face and attitude that afternoon. She was a rather ungrateful gift receiver. We forgot to give her the gift-receiving pep talk we usually give the birthday child before each party, and it showed! Oh dear. After most people had left, and she was going through her gifts, we got to see her excitement and that she really did appreciate each and every gift. We'll make sure we do better with that next year. I started thinking, though, about how it really was representative of how life with Aubrey has been lately. We have been in constant battles over attitude and respectful, cheerful obedience. Our little girl who used to be so easy has asserted her independence and decided to not be so easy anymore. It's going to be ok. We are prepared to succeed in this and determined to help her work through these issues, but it sure has been difficult lately! I'm looking forward to this next year with our five-year-old. She's got a big year ahead of her with kindergarten and all.  Aubrey has always been a delightful girl with a bright smile, a love for people, and a sensitive heart. She is full of fun...when she's not being a stinker. We joke about how she's 5 going on 15, but we really want to be able to enjoy that future 15-year-old, so we are going to work hard now to make sure we can! Aubrey Ann, we love you so much. We always will. Happy birthday to you!