Emily is 10!

 Emily had a birthday and invited her 3 closest friends.  Bailey Minton, Kelci Collins and Chloe Minard.  We made a day of it!  She had a whole list of things she wanted to do:  Paint nails, make paper flowers, decorate cupcakes, build a fort, open presents, and watch Back To The Future 3!  I know, that movie may sound pretty random for a 10 year old - since it was a movie made in the late 80's!  My kids love the first and last one especially.  The girls each came home with Emily after-school on Friday (the last day of school before winter break) and stayed until about 9pm.  Oh, I like this so much better than a slumber party!!!!  

Bailey, Emily, Kelci, and Chloe - Here they are in the fabulous fort complete with strings of lights inside.

Lots of fun girl talk in the fort!!!  

Emily even was able to tolerate her younger sister inside, 

after a few "gentle" reminders from Mom and Dad.        

Here is our mature 10 year old making a serious wish on her candles...

Oh the places you'll go and the things you will do!  I love this girl!  She is one tough cookie!  She has come through so much tough stuff and still has a truly brilliant smile and a triumphant spirit!  She reminds me daily that we CAN DO hard things.  Emily is learning to play the piano and the violin, she loves to dress up and dance, she likes to draw and write stories, she wants to learn to draw portraits of people, she loves to sing and she is an amazing big sister!  She looks out for her siblings and tries her best to teach by example and loves with great capacity.  She inspires me...  LOVE YOU EMILY!