Turning '11' isn't a big milestone by the parenting books.
But something about it.... '11'... seems so grown up, so mature.
Maybe its because at '11' you are officially old enough to take babysitting classes and be responsible to take care of someone else's life.
'11' is also officially a tweenager. You long for parties and games and carefree fun but yet your heart knows there is more out there than streamers and cake. You want to be surrounded by friends and laughter and presents, but you're beginning to understand that time is fleeting and should be spent wisely.
'11' is the beginning of a difficult transition and a big step in growing up. It is my job to show you that you can have the best of both worlds, especially on your birthday!
We kicked festivities off the weekend before the big day by using a gift certificate to SkyZone from last year's birthday.
An hour of jumping fun followed by bagels, cream cheese, and pastries at Panera with a bunch of girl chat about favorite cereals, movies, and school was the perfect beginning
When the actual birthday weekend rolled around, celebrations continued with a family dinner at home complete with all Bree's favorites.
Stuffed crust pizza from Little Caesars, breadsticks from Tano's....
...iron skillet apple pie for dessert....
... AND off to the movie theatres to see 'The Grinch' where a bunch of other cousins just so happened to be as well!
Early the next morning, we were off to hit the town but first a birthday haircut and styling!
(the Birthday Girl, the Mom, the Grandma, and the Sister starting the day off right)
We stopped at a local bakery to grab a (large) sugary bite to eat and Bubble Tea - the latest and greatest fad according to Bree.
Our next (but technically third) stop of the day was Kohls where Bree was given free reign to spend my extra Kohls Cash. After searching through all the clothes and finding an awesome pajama set with matching doll jammies, we ended up walking out with a pair of fluffy earmuffs for the wintery days ahead. Then we hit the mall where Bree FINALLY... 6 years later... got to use her Build A Bear gift card.
Meet Frosting Snowflake - a cotton candy smelling bunny.
Up next was Barnes and Nobles where Bree decided on a cookbook of her very own and a complete works of Grimm's Fairy Tales book.
On the way home, we had to visit Panera bread again. Bree loves Broccoli Cheddar soup and they do make the best. Plus, us adults may have needed a caffeinated beverage to help make it through the rest of the day because celebrations still weren't done! We stopped at home to show Dad her birthday loot before being whisked off to Walmart for more shopping....
...and dropped back off to Grandma for the best birthday dinner at the best restaurant around.
At the end of the day, the kids were in the kitchen and I overheard Bree telling Holly and Jake about everything. All the stops, what its like to make your own stuffed animal, giving ideas what they can do for their birthdays. Then Bree suddenly stops and comes to me in the living room and says "Wow..... I got to eat out for all three meals today!"
"Did you like it though?" I questioned her.
"It was really fun, Mom. Thank you."
Smiles, compliments, signs of appreciation, and time spent together.
Birthday. Win.
