9 is just FINE!

Chloe is 9!  She had a great day.  The kids gave her so much attention and affection.  The kids layed in our bed together and lingered in the morning.  Then Chloe dressed up fancy for school and excitedly put on the traditional birthday hat for breakfast and opened a few presents.  She got a few books and other random gifts--nothing big--but she was stoked.

Chloe was excited to have a friend party this year.  She invited some girls from church and from school.  We even got a babysitter for the little kids so the big girls could have their own time.  We started out with a lego activity.  Greg put a bunch of random pieces in a bucket and then we had a contest to see who make the most creative, the craziest and the best use of the blocks.  Greg even had certificates for them.   After that we made book marks because at this age, it is all about the reading.  My big highlight was going outside to do some jump roping.  My big plan was to show them some moves and teach them some jump songs but then I remembered that I was pregnant and not such a good jumper.  Good ole Greg took on the roll as the teacher after I gave him a quick crash course.  He's such a great Dad and such a team player and boy can that guy jump!  We taught them how to jump in and expected to teach them all kinds of other tricks but honestly time just flew by.

If we were to do it all over, we'd probably have just jump roped the whole time.  They loved it.

Then we had lunch and cake and it was already time to go.  (BTW,  the cake looks a bit ghetto, but it was delicious.  I got it from this blog.)  Chloe has made such nice friends here.  We will really miss these kids when we move.

• Chloe loves to read.  She is especially into the Geronimo and Thea Stilton books right now.  We often find her tucked away reading and sometimes sneaking a flashlight and book into bed to read.
• One of Chloe's major chores is clearing the table after dinner.  She stores all the leftovers and clears the dishes.  When she is feeling extra nice, she even washes the dishes.
• Chloe loves to wear head bands.  It is pretty much her signature look.
• She can finally change her own earrings without any hesitation or fear.  She has a widely growing earring collection.
• She LOVES going to Activity Days at church.  She loves all the friendships she has made there and also loves doing something away from home.
• She loves playing with Gavin and Gavin absolutely adores her.  She reads to him, plays cars with him and helps get him to bed and change his diaper.  When we have a babysitter, Chloe really does most of the work.

Her favorite color is:  turquoise and lime green
Her favorite food is: strawberry pie
Her favorite movie is:  Brave
Her favorite thing to do is:  travel or go on trips with my family
Her favorite song is:  Trouble (Taylor Swift)