Makayla Turns 11 Years Old!

 Makayla is 11 years old; can you believe it? We love this girl so much and are so proud of the amazing young woman she is becoming. We love a day (really, it's more like a few days) where we can celebrate our amazing, beautiful, talented, funny, smart, perfectionist, oldest daughter.

Makayla woke up bright and early, as she does every school day, and got ready. She got to open her new outfit to wear to school that day. 

We had our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast, then she was off to school. 

When she got home from school the painters were at our house finishing staining the cabinets, and the smell was pretty strong, so we ran a few errands and then came home so Makayla could open the rest of her presents. 

She got a new hover board, which she was so surprised and excited for. 

She also got some more new clothes and pajamas. It is so fun to see how she gravitates more toward clothes now, but it does make me sad that her days of playing dolls and family are over. 

That night was Makayla's friend party. She invited Avery, Chloe, Lillie, and Layla from school. We had pizza for dinner then headed to Color Me Mine where all the girls got to pick out a ceramic piece to paint. 

The girls had so much fun paining and we had fun listening to them talk about school, teachers, and their friends. 

Makayla quickly picked up the technique needed to ride the hover board and she was off. 

On the Sunday after her birthday we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse where Makayla got to sit on the saddle while everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. She said it was really embarrassing, but I think she secretly loved it. 

The following week was her family party. 

My favorite part of the party was that Makayla created a Kahoot game with questions all about her, like her favorite things and her dislikes. We had everyone play the game on their phones. After each question it would post who was in the lead and everyone was laughing and getting louder and louder. The score board leader would change but in the end it was Brynnli who won 1st place (I think sharing a room with Makayla may have given her an unfair advantage), Colton won 2nd place and Carson won 3rd place. 

Then we opened presents. Makayla got a lot of clothes, art projects, and money. 

We sang happy birthday and she blew out the candles on her cupcake. 

Then somehow (as family parties often do) it turned into a talent show... well I should say it turned into the Brynnli show, with a few other guest appearances by the other kids. Brynnli read Toad on the Road, did her dance, and sang "Run, Run, Run" with her ukulele. 

We had a great few days celebrating Makayla!

But I do have to wonder, where did these last 11 years go? They went by so fast. I vividly remember rocking her to sleep every night and singing "Never grow up". I remember how Makayla was so attached to her blankie and always had a corner of the blanket in her mouth as she fell asleep. I remember her dancing and singing around the house, I remember her playing school with Caden where she was the strict teacher, and he was always the student. I remember her first day of Kindergarten and how she walked so confidently into school. I remember her working so hard to master her back handspring for cheer. I remember her sitting on the couch reading Harry Potter for hours at a time and then begging me to go the store to buy her the next book in the series. I remember her in the kitchen making and decorating custom cupcakes to take to Hanna Land. I remember the two of us sneaking away from the rest of the family to go to Thirst for a drink and beginets and laughing and talking the whole way. I remember the joys of watching her learn something new. I remember the heartache watching as she had to work so hard to overcome a trial, and I remember being so proud as she conquered every challenge life has brought her. Makayla is resilient, strong, and determined. Her struggles will become her greatest quality. She is such an amazing, kind, sweet girl, and we feel so lucky to be her parents. 

Since it has been a few years, I thought this year I would bring back the interview questions. I think it will be so fun to look back on these: 

What are some things that you like or are popular today? Tic Tok, belly shirts and tank tops, Tom Holland, Olivia Rodrigo, the gritty dance move. 

What do you like most about yourself right now? "I just like how well I dance and how I'm really funny."

What do you think your future job will be? "I want to be a lawyer, but I can see myself doing something like a teacher".

What are you good at? "Dance, and I'm really smart, and I'm good at understanding when people need space."

Do you have a celebrity crush? "Yes, Tom Holland"

Who are your friends and what do you like about them? "Haylie and Chloe. I feel like I can tell them anything and they are really nice."

Where is your favorite place to eat? "Probably Culvers or Red Robin."

What makes you really annoyed? "When Brynnli or Caden is bugging me."

What makes you feel proud? "When I do something really good or when I get an award."

Which of your nicknames do you like the most and why? "Key Bugs because only dad calls me that."

What is your favorite subject in school? "Writing."

What do you wish you could do that mom and dad won't allow? "Eat in bed"

What is your favorite thing about Brynnli? "She can make you feel better with jokes and being funny."

What is your favorite thing about Caden? "Well since we're closer in age there are fun things to do with him like play basketball and stuff."

What is your favorite memory with Dad? "That one time when we went to a gymnastics meet"

What is your favorite memory with Mom? "Going to 'Gold over America'".