Braces & Birthday

Today was a full day -- the story most easily told with photos. So, I am eager to "show off" my beautiful kiddos! At 9pm last night I stood at the kitchen sink washing up the last of the dishes from making Coca-Cola Cake & cupcakes. I was so weary, yet a hopeful little girl wanted curls for her 8th birthday. I mustered up the energy, plugged in a movie and got busy putting in the sponge rollers. Today's smile was worth it -- most of the time! :) (you'll see what I mean!) Briella celebrated her 8th birthday today. Wow. Eight years ago I welcomed a tiny six-pound little bundle with a head full of black hair! This morning when I returned from my jog, she and Titus were very quietly playing chess in the playroom. Very adorable. After my shower Jared had joined them as well. By that time she and Titus were a team. I had to break up the game for breakfast.
At 10 am we headed to Scranton to get Marci's braces removed. Woo-hoo! Dr. Kerr and staff were wonderful, as usual. It was a fun experience and Briella got a poodle birthday balloon. Then we had lunch at the Steamtown Mall food court. We did this to fulfill the request of having pizza on her birthday! Marci & I had salads, so everyone was happy! By 2pm we were headed back to Montrose so Marci could make it for an afternoon of soccer against Elk Lake. Fortunately, we had canceled piano lessons for the day, so we had a two-hour reprieve at home. Titus had fallen asleep in the car, so he napped while I read history and art to B&J. When Titus woke up, we made cowboy cookies. We had a very healthy snack before heading to Elk Lake for the soccer game, which we watched from Herbie since it was spitting & WINDY. The boys' team lost, but the girls won 2-0! We piled in the car and scurried back to Montrose for clubs at church. I hustled home to pick up Emily for a dance meeting. At 8:30 everyone was home for opening some presents! Tomorrow I get to snuggle little Abbie at 6am, so I'm hoping to be in bed by 10. Goodnight all!