Lindsey's 10th Birthday Party!

Our beautiful Lindsey Lou turned 10 on February 12th, 2013

and we celebrated the actual day with rainbow streamers over her doorway, pink and green ones down the bannister, all meals on the "special" plate and her choice of what was on the menu for the day.  

We also had Strawberry Shortcake for her desert since they are her favorite fruit.

WHAT?! No cake, you say?  Well, she wanted a party with lots of friends (lots of friends = lots of presents, right?) at Chuck-E-Cheese.  So thats what we did...

 Lindsey with her cake (themed with present boxes) and her presents in the background.

A GIANT KISS

from Daddy

No present from Gramma Jackie would be right if it didn't include a handmade crocheted item.

Here is Lindsey modeling the scarf and hat my mother made!  We have been using these items plentifully living here in North Eastern Pennsylvania!

Lindsey with her new friends she has made in school!  

They have all been really sweet and have made her feel welcome here.

AND - Tanner was thrilled to be able to play all evening 

and stuff his clothes full of tickets in the ticket booth!

Lindsey got a turn too - but I didn't capture it on film...   

Lindsey requested ear muffs somewhere along the way during this new experience 

called "winter" we have enjoyed during this grand adventure living back East.  

So, that was one of the gifts she opened up on the morning 

of her birthday before she went off to school.

Lindsey's photo creation (self portrait) on my iPad :-)

Lindsey continues to learn and grow.  We are encouraging her to continue learning to play the piano, she loves singing and dancing and playing games and puzzles on the computer and devices (she finally got her own iPod for her birthday - and Tanner inherited Emily's old iPod touch).  She has struggled to adapt to the demands of 4th grade, but we can see her improvement.  She has demonstrated some characteristics of OCD that have been aggravated by the stress and anxiety that goes along with such a life changing event as this has been - to move away from everything familiar and away from extended family.  She misses her Aunts and Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas and cousins.  She counts things within her surroundings when she is anxious and then she misses valuable information being taught.  But we are learning to manage and she is obtaining study skills that help her be a good student.  

We love our Lindsey and love watching her learn and grow and love those around her.  She truly enjoys being a big sister to Julie and still remains one of Mommy's best helpers in the house.  

Remember - you are so loved!