Kaeleigh's 10!!!

Kaeleigh's favorite meal right now is Chinese Haystacks...or Hawaiian Haystacks (whatever your family calls them.) We think she likes this meal because of the fancy tray that spins, plus we let her help prepare it, which she thinks is cool. So this was her birthday meal.

She wanted Chocolate Molten Lava Cake for her special day. She sure does have an appreciation for most things "grown up". I think gone are the days of 9x13 sheet cakes with pink frosting and sprinkles on top for her. Honestly, these are my favorite though, so I will gladly provide them every birthday if that is what she wants. The only problem is that, as you can see in the picture, I gave up after 8 candles. The candles kept sinking in due to the center of the cake being hot and runny....MMM!

I couldn't resist putting the "blowing out" picture.

She was serious when she said she could eat the whole thing! I am glad she loved it!

This is Kaeliegh's reaction to Daddy's present...maybe not what he was hoping for, but it should be a fun night regardless. Ryan and I gave Kaeleigh two tickets to the High School Musical on Ice tour. We get to go (she and Mom) next Wednesday. I guess they really are growing up when they stop jumping up and down over HSM! So sad!

I thought I would do a little something special for Kaeleigh and list 10 of my favorite things about her for her big "double-digit" b-day:

1. Kaeleigh is the most tender-hearted person I know! She is always concerned about others feelings and puts them before her own...although we are trying to include her brothers in that "always" statement still. It would be easier if she feel like mothering them all the time.

2. She is the best big sister that Ashlyn could have ever asked for! Ashlyn totally loves Kaeleigh and follows her around and Kaeleigh wouldn't have it any other way. Kaeleigh loves to let Ashlyn sleep in bed with her and have sleep-overs, loves to dress her for the day, help feed her, and change "non-poopies". What a great helper! She treats the boys very well too, she is just working on the oil and water effect of brother/sister relationships. I think that most of the time she is very good to them too.

3. One of my absolute favorite things about her is that she has always known right from wrong. Kaeleigh will try and punish herself if she feels she has misbehaved. She has tried to ground herself for life on a couple occasions. She repeatedly sends herself to her room. She is very hard on herself for things that Ryan and I consider "life", like an accidental collision during more wild playtimes and someone ends up getting hurt. She could learn to relax just a little.

4. Kaeleigh loves the scriptures! She knows the Book of Mormon and Bible so well that she puts me to shame. I want to be as good as her and be able to put them in chronological order as easily as she does and know the names of all the persons like she does.

5. Kaeleigh is a brilliant child. She excels in spelling and math and the rest of her subjects in school. She will accept nothing less than a 100% on spelling tests...she used to get so upset if she got a 104% (highest is 105!) I had to explain the extra credit thing many times, but she wants to be perfect!

6. Kaeleigh is super forgiving! I am embarrassed to say that I hurt my daughter's feelings probably all too often, but she always comes and gives me a hug and we make up. She never holds grudges and is willing to forget anyone's offenses towards her.

7. She has always been more mature than her years in ways. I can talk to Kaeleigh about things and trust her that she will not repeat them. She understands that some "topics" are of sensitive nature and she is honored to be trusted with "information".

8. Kaeleigh loves to try new things!

9. Kaeleigh is stylishly modest. She is very creative in her wardrobe and willing to work with items to make them work according to her own standards. She hasn't worn a pair of shorts (not bermudas...finally, I got her to wear those last summer!) since she was about 4. She used to only wear capris...that was the "shortest" it got for her. She thought shorts were immodest! She wouldn't be caught dead in a tank top...it's so nice that she holds herself to these standards and I hope she holds on to them as she approaches her teen years all too soon.

10. Kaeleigh is a great 1st child. She is an example not only to our other children, but to Ryan and I also. I learn so much from her every day. I want to be more like her in ways...I so don't want to be 10 again though! I couldn't have chosen a better child too lead the way for our family. Her siblings look up to her and want to be just like her. She is absolutely the most beautiful girl I know, inside and out.

We love you Kaeleigh...Happy Double-digits!