Turning Twelve

We call it the birthday month for a reason! 

On her real birthday morning she was presented with her favorite breakfast.

She opened one present (a birthday shirt with a horse and the number 12) in the morning before heading to school. 

After school she had this waiting for her and then got to open her presents.

Then her Grammy and Grandpa Art arrived for a couple days!  We headed to Crystal Lake and enjoyed dinner at Jameson's Charhouse.

On Sunday we planned a Playdate Birthday Party.  She only wanted to have one friend over which meant I could go a bit crazy with activities and prizes. 

The activities and prizes were to represent Amelia's favorite things.  So, nail spa with stamping kit, journal with calligraphy pen, hair accessories and a breyer plush horse were all prizes each opened up.  Even Amelia's favorite holiday, Christmas, was represented with the opening of gifts!

Lots of food too and her favorite pizza.

 

Her birthday weekend ended with a day at the barn with Bandit. 

Little did she know, the biggest surprise was yet to come.  All of that on the next post!

 

Since Christmas.

 This picture was actually taken in the evening Christmas Day.  First Christmas without snow for Amelia.  Although a bit disappointed, we loved our walk and she loved being able to use her scooter from Santa.  

Continuing Christmas even further, four of my nieces and nephews flew over in January and we celebrated with stockings and gifts.  They headed to the Bulls game and strolled downtown Chicago.  Unfortunately, we didn't go with them as Chicago had the rule that you had to be fully vaccinated to go into any entertainment establishment including restaurants and museums and Amelia was not fully vaccinated at that point.   Eventually, we will get to the city!

Other than that we have been enjoying the quiet things.  

Hot chocolate.

The first snow and snowman.

Just playing. 

Shopping and Starbucks. 

Baking extraordinary things. 

Celebrating Valentine's Day.

And lastly, spending weekends at the barn with Amelia's favorite activity. 

Birthday is coming up and sure to be a special one.  Til next time.