Leia

Leia’s 12th Birthday

Leia woke up multiple times throughout the night. About 5:30 momma saw her up and said happy birthday then she climbed in the bed to snuggle and we snapped the first picture of the day. Daddy woke up a few minutes later telling her happy birthday too but he would not let us post the morning picture of him. Ivy heard us all talking and woke up a few minutes later. The girls headed to the den to see what our elf, Cupcake had done since she normally has her birthday clothes on ready to celebrate. 

There were 12 balloons on the white rug; thank you Mimi for your help in getting those. The girls surrounded themselves with the balloons. Momma started cooking chocolate chip pancakes and little round sausages per the birthday girls request. Daddy ventured out right as momma was finishing up cooking breakfast for us all to gather around the table. We sang happy birthday to Leia then enjoyed a sweet family breakfast. 

Present time was on Leia’s agenda next. She always is so sweet in letting Ivy help her open them. This year she got horse earrings, chess game, checker game, sleep mask, and money for her Kendra Scott jewelry she wanted to pick out that day. We gave the girls a choice on weather or not they wanted to go to school today. Leia opted to spend her whole birthday at home while Ivy opted to go to school since she had a field trip. Ivy hitched a ride with the neighbor while momma and Leia snuggled up on the couch watching Hallmark as daddy napped on and off. 

Mimi called after she dropped off Sara and Katie at school; she was keeping them since Stacy and Mark went to Ross Bridge hotel for their anniversary. Mimi asked if anyone wanted her to pick up breakfast. Surprisingly Chris wanted something so she brought it by and Leia opened one of her presents. When daddy woke up, we asked him to play Leia in a game of chess. She loved it! He is a great teacher. As they were playing VHEW counselor called Lisa and we determined Ivy should come home for the day too. Mimi picked her up then we had sweet family time the rest of the morning.

Midday we got dressed for momma and Leia to have some one on one time at lunch and doing anything Leia wanted to do. Grandpa and Deedee arrived to hang out with Chris and Ivy while momma and Leia headed out. As we pulled out, Leia’s teacher, Mrs Boykin called to make sure everything was okay at home and see if we could swing by the school. Leia said she wanted to so we did. Her whole class came out to sing happy birthday to her, give her cards they made, and special gifts. It was so sweet! 

From that surprise we headed to lunch at “The Ridge” per Leia’s request. We lingered over lunch. It was nice hearing her talk and enjoying some precious time with her. From there we headed shopping. We went to Fun Stuff, Kendra Scott, Belk, Loft, and TJ Maxx. It was a lot of shopping! Momma did not rush her in Kendra Scott and Leia ended up designing a necklace of her choice. The rest of the stores we were looking for a red dress but struck out. The frustration of not finding one left the end of the shopping trip on a sour note. 

We arrived home to a full house. Leia was excited to see her sister. She showed everyone her necklace and told them about her day. Momma headed to a neighbors to show up since she had been having a bad week. Somewhere in the middle of the excitement though, Leia’s emotions took over and it did not look or feel the way she wanted it to on her birthday. Daddy hugged and loved on her; he texted momma to come home. We all three sat in the bedroom talking and trying to separate facts from feelings and get the birthday girl back in a celebration mood. 

Grandpa got back with dinner from Pita Stop. We all enjoyed dinner and sweet fellowship. Leia face-timed the Requena-Comfort’s then opened her presents. She, Ivy, and Katie started playing checkers as they waited on Sara to finish dance to do cake. We all sang happy birthday to our girl, enjoyed cake, and snapped a quick picture of everyone here celebrating our 12 year old before calling it a night. 

Last picture as a 11 year old and first as a 12 year old

The birthday girl had 12 balloons on the white rug; of course we had to get a picture with them all
 
Cupcake made a hat since she lost her birthday hat for Leia’s 12th birthday

Birthday breakfast: pancakes and little sausages

Presents before Ivy left for school
Daddy asked if every present was an elephant


  Daddy teaching Leia to play Chess. It was her favorite present
 
Mimi brought Chick-fil-A to us since Chris said he wanted a biscuit from there. She ended up swinging by VHEW to get Ivy since her school had called and said she might need to go home. She did not want to talk but we hugged several minutes then simply enjoyed sweet time together. 


On our way out for lunch her teacher Mrs Boykin called and asked could we drive by the school. Her whole class sang happy birthday to her and gave her cards. Such a sweet and thoughtful thing to do! 

Enjoyed sweet one on one time with our birthday girl at lunch and shopping; doing whatever she wanted to do on her special day

Leia designed her own necklace at Kendra Scott

12th birthday dinner

Presents after dinner

Love that Leia always lets Ivy help open, takes time to thank people as she goes, and tries out gifts

That two and one kept turning…mommy laughed herself for straightening it but doing it backwards

Cakes, games, and fun … loved celebrating our girl!!



 
Thankful for the family who came to celebrate with Leia! Also, thankful aunt Stacy suggested a selfie of everyone and had Mark take pictures for me because Leia’s momma has not been good at pictures recently 

Leave a Reply