Eleven

Josie turned 11 on Friday the 29th.  I know we say it every year but Marty and I cannot believe our little girl is growing up so fast. She is kind, intelligent, inclusive and joyful.  I could not be more proud of her.  I feel so very fortunate to be her mother and to get a front row seat to watch her grow and develop.  She is and always has been a pretty amazing kid.  She is wise beyond her years and has a heart of gold. Even though she is starting to show signs of puberty and has a shorter than normal temper with us and with her brother she is still a very kind soul who would never intentionally hurt someone or their feelings.
Unfortunately, Marty had to fly home to Seattle early in the morning on her birthday.  He said a quick goodbye and happy birthday before he left at 4AM but he was definitely missed on this day!!

A month or so ago when we found out that Marty had to fly home on Josie's birthday she was VERY very upset about it.  We celebrated with her before he left at the Tropical Island and dinner and ice cream.  So when the time came for him to go she was pretty good with it.  Benjamin who is a life in the moment kind of kid didn't really realize he was leaving until the night before when he cried and screamed and begged for Marty not to go.  I do think that since being here Marty has been so SO much more present with the kids and they have formed an even stronger bond.  Particularly with Benjamin since Marty picks him up from school and eats lunch with him every day at the school cafeteria.  All that to say Benjamin was not thrilled to go to bed the night before Marty left nor to wake up the next morning and not remember Marty saying goodbye to him at 4am. 

The birthday girl, however, woke up in good spirits and walked to school with her good friend, Aurora.  She carried along with her zucchini/chocolate chip muffins that I had made so she could share and celebrate with her class.  Sharing treats on your birthday is still a thing here which was fun for her since I don't think she has shared treats with a class since Kindergarten.
After school Benjamin and I met her and her friends at the bus stop and we all headed down our favorite ice cream shop together.  Julie and her dog, Frida, joined us. 

It was a gorgeous, 70 degree day which was perfect to sit outside and enjoy the ice cream and time with her friends.  The girls were all very kind and everyone had fun eating and playing with Frida.

Benjamin opted for an ice cream cone
because the concoctions are way too big
for one person but he was able to clean up
the left overs. 

A couple of her friends had to leave early but two of them were able to come back to our house for dinner. 

I'm sure riding in the front seat of the double decker buses
will eventually get old... but not yet!

They laughed and played and ran around the house playing hide and seek. 

Thankfully they were kind enough to include Benjamin, who had a ball with all the girls.  Around 8PM their parents came to pick them up and then we were able to sneak in a quick skype call with Marty as he had just landed in Seattle.. tired but in good spirits.
Josie's best birthday gift came that night when we got word that her best friend and her family are coming to visit us over the Christmas holiday.
We love you SO much, Josie Marie!!!  Hoping your 11th year is as good as the past 10.