Kate Takes on Double Digits

To celebrate Kate's birthday, she invited several friends to go to Keokis.   Milly, Kelsey, Shay and Penelope were so cute at the table, drawing water henna while they waited on sliders.

The five of them have never hung out together as a group, but I loved seeing them be so inclusive together.

Kate's original plan was to boogie board and swim after dinner, but as the wind and rain blew all week, we modified and arranged for house entertainment.  The girls insisted on taking a "Polar Bear Plunge" into the ocean and we were there for 10 minutes, including to and from the car, as they raced into the water and raced right back to the car.  Brrr.

A few rounds of Ninja Ribbon equaled a loud house full of laughs.

I could not imagine doing Hula Pie during COVID, so we did ice cream sundaes at home.  The girls did a solid job piling their sundaes high with candy, but no one could keep up with Zachary's when he got home from soccer.

Finally, art canvases.  

Owen studied Shay's technique and copied it on his own work.

Her friends gave her thoughtful gifts and my favorite was the foot spa from Kelsey.  Anyone who spends time with Kate in the last year knows her favorite playdate activity is spa, and this is the perfect addition.

Her birthday was a few days later and she was lucky enough to have the day off school.  Public school resumed after spring break but these die-hard surfer girls skipped their morning class and joined Kate in the water.  There was a swell and the girls killed it, surfing 30+ waves each. 

Lucky birthday girl also had her daddy on shore taking pictures.

Michael Jordan tongue:

We left to surf early, and Brady sent me this shot of Roxy.  Since I've started training her more diligently, she is pretty clingy and wants to be near me constantly.  I love it.  She thought I was in bed so slept this way until I got back from surfing.

Birthday waffles!

Spa time with Shay after waffles and surf.

Kate begged to surf one more time before piano lessons.  "The waves are just too good, Mom!"  I left Brady to watch some March madness and took off with Kate.  Surfing with my kids is a dream come true.

Another pitiful Roxy shot: waiting by the door for me when I leave with Kate.

If anyone is counting, this is the 4th wetsuit we've purchased for her in 12 months.  Please don't count.  She loses these like Brady loses wedding rings.  This one has the rule that it can only come off in the car, dramatically reducing the chance it will get left behind at the beach.

Zachary sincerely sang his "Happy Birthday" version on the ukulele.

He wrapped his gift to her, quoting lines from Nacho Libre and barely containing his overwhelming case of giggles.

Kate didn't get it but laughed at his laughing.

Grandma Nufer's homemade card to Kate.

Kate's big surprise!  A steel string, 3/4 length guitar.  We purchased one for her in the fall with nylon strings that she hated so we traded it out for bloody fingers and better sound.

Double-layer chocolate cake with cream cheese Oreo frosting.  My cake game is getting better, although my cake decorating is hideous.

So happy to see these rivals laughing and playing together that night.

Kate is taking on the world right now.  She is willing to be challenged, willing to take on big waves, willing to play piano with oozing levels of expression, willing to write long stories, willing to read book series, willing to play with her little brother for hours, willing to skateboard after skinned knees.  Her confidence is soaring right now and I want to bottle it up and hand it to her in a few years.  

This year with Kate is a gift.  Happy 10th Birthday, my sweet girl.