My Blue-Eyed Girl

Today is Shilo's Birthday.  

Sandwiched in between The Oldest Child's (And Only Son's) Birthday and Father's Day, along with the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, she's had to make some compromises in her celebrations.  It's a busy time of year.  But a Sunday birthday is the perfect time to reflect and reminisce about that sweet, blue-eyed girl.  And I mention the blue eyes because she is the only blue-eyed child in our family.  You need to have some claim to fame as the 4th out of 5.

There was no showing her peepers in the hospital, though.  It had been a long day, 14 years ago.

Shilo was the best of my babies.  Not to compare, because I know every child is different, but she was pretty easy going (which was awesome, since I still had three other children to care for), patient, and she was the best nurser (which for some reason my kids don't like to think about now).  She was also very entertaining... she could give the best crusty looks.  When people would coo and talk to her, she would throw a crusty their way.  It was so funny.

Again, since I'm confined to my digital access, I can only share the Ghosts of Birthdays Past since 2003.  

Shilo's 8th birthday... we had a party at the pool, and the weather was not the most cooperative.  It was cold, dark and overcast.  The good news was that for the hour we planned to swim, we had the pool nearly to ourselves.  Like a private party.  Yeah, it was planned.

9 years old.  I think Shi decorated this cake herself.  Pretty darn creative, wouldn't you say?

10 years old.

11 years old. We celebrated her birthday on the 24th this year... like I said, compromise. I know we had a tone of things going on all at the same time. Shi's patience has been a blessing.

12 years old.  We were at a Young Women's overnighter on her birthday.  Since she was turning twelve that day, she came too.  All the YW in the ward were there to celebrate with her.

13 years old.

I can't believe a year has already passed.  Time really does fly.  I wasn't convinced of that when my children were younger, but I am a true believer now.  

So today, on a Sunday, Shilo finally gets to move up to the Mia Maid class.  Being on the younger end of the school year means being the last in your grade to do that.  And we will be having a true Sunday dinner:  Chicken Cordon Bleu (which I've never made before, I'm crossing my fingers it will turn out awesome), Cheesy Potatoes (her #1 request), and Cheesecake for dessert.  Shilo's a foodie and was quite specific in her meal requests for the day.  I'd better get going on those crepes for breakfast.

Happy 14th Birthday, Shilo.

We love you!