And Meagan turns 11...

So, in fine tradition (or what passes for it the last couple of years), we spent Meagan's Birthday with our friends, the Robinsons.  Now, I know we spend a lot of time with them, but it's just because they're such AWESOME people.  I know we need to spread ourselves out more...It's on my to-do list.  Of course, the people on the top of that list were ALSO there - Herman and Gabi Graham and their kids.  Also awesome people...  There was games, and play, and cake and ice cream and, of course, presents. 

Grandma and Grandpa Walles sent jewelry.  No, there was not an evil spirit in the jewelry possessing Meagan when she picked it up.  That's my lack of photo editing skills.  I do, however, have a beef with my daughter wearing jewelry.  She's not allowed to be that old.  Jewelry is for teenagers.  She's still got like 7 years before that, right?  No?  Oh my...I'm in trouble.

I'm not sure I see the appeal of this "line" of gifts, but she wanted a Monster High gift so we got her a couple of dolls that you can take apart and put back together like you were piecing together Frankenstein's Monster.  She seems excited.  I guess that's enough.  You know, it's HARD keeping up with all the new stuff.  I actually do a pretty good job, but I'm starting to get old.

Our friends gave her Legos, something she has been excited about lately.  She loves to build landscapes with them (she's not as into it as Jacob, but she's a girl...one must make allowances).

And then, the big one.  Since Meagan is a reader, and she was enamored with Grandma Walles' when they visited last year, we decided to get her a Kindle Paperwhite.  The books are, in-general, cheaper than buying paper and you can even borrow books from the library (that means Mommy has to get them to the Library and get cards - something we haven't done in 4 years).

Several days later, she still seems to like her stuff (particularly the Kindle - that was a good call on our part if I do say so myself).  She had to get new glasses because she broke her old ones so she can even see the books she is reading now...  And another year goes by.  Where is the time going?  Although, I have to say, as much as the time seems to be going by fast, I don't feel like it has totally slipped through our fingers.  When we were kids, our parents took us on long boring road trips to see things we didn't really care about, but we got to spend time as a family.  We don't spend every waking second doing stuff with our kids - I want them to be comfortable entertaining themselves - but we do spend time with them.  When we do, I try to let them pick what we do - within reason.  It may not be much, but it's time and they are excited when it comes time to have those moments.

- Josh