Aubrey is 11!

 Birthday season at the Porter house began with a day to celebrate everything about Aubrey, who celebrated her 11th birthday early in March.  The day started with breakfast in bed (crepes, bacon, and strawberries).

Then it was off to school. At lunch I picked her up and we ate Wendy's (nuggets, fries, and shake) and then picked up donuts for her class. After school she enjoyed her chore-free and piano practice-free afternoon, and then we ate her choice of dinner (pasta, bread, and apple crisp instead of cake).

At the dinner table, we looked through her baby scrapbooks and remembered lots of fun things about baby and toddler Aubrey. Then she opened presents.  Her favorite gift was her first camera!  And it's "mini", and Aubrey likes everything mini. From Grandma and Grandpa Springer she received money for a new book and the Gepetto DVD (she is currently in a play based on this show).  Other highlights . . . money from Grandma and Grandpa Palmer (oh, the possibilities for shopping), Epic Mickey Wii game, shower gel and a sleep mask, a calendar for her room, and plastic popsicle molds (she and Bailey love to experiment with different types of juice popsicles).

Her party was the next weekend. She and three close friends met at our house for pizza and then spent a few hours at a ceramic painting shop in downtown Vancouver called Earth Glaze and Fire.  After they finished their painted masterpieces we walked next door to Ice Cream Renaissance and ate delectable ice cream creations.  All the girls got "Doctor Chocolate" and then played card games for awhile before he headed home.

 

 

We loved the chance to focus on our precious daughter Aubrey.  In honor of her 11th birthday, here are 11 things I especially admire about Aubrey:

1.  Your enthusiasm about trying new skills. You seem to be fearless as you choose to try new things . . . singing in the ward choir, singing, dancing, and acting in musical theater, learning to be a better basketball player . . . . and so many more examples.

2.  Your artistic eye.  You have a real ability to see the beauty around you and translate into art.  That is definitely one of your special gifts.

3.  Your sense of humor.  To those who don't know you well you might seem quiet at first, but pretty soon your eyes start to twinkle and you share some of your dry wit and your beautiful smile.

4.  Your love for your siblings.  You have forged a special bond with Brandon, Bailey, and Joseph. I know that it makes you so happy to hang out with them and have fun.  And I'm glad that you still let me hold you and cuddle you like my baby "Aubrey-doodle."

5.  Your loyalty.  You have had the same special friends since you were very little.  One of your friends has been your "bestie" since you were two years old!  You stick with your friends, and you are a very good friend to them.

6.  Your upbeat attitude.  Every day when I pick you up at school I know that you will answer my question "How was your day?" with a big grin and an enthusiastic "It was great!"  You generally love what you are doing, whether it is school, an extracurricular activity, or relaxing at home.

7.  The fact that you can quote every John Bytheway talk verbatim from memory.  Okay, so our family might just be Bytheway's biggest fans!  You have always liked the blend of humor and doctrine. 

8.  The fact that you will still skip down Main Street at Disneyland with me.  We don't care that Dad and Brandon walk way behind, pretending like they don't know us.  How can we not skip in the happiest place on earth?

9.  Your love of all things mathematic.  This is obviously something you inherited from your father, because I did not and do not feel that way about math.  But, you really get math concepts, and you think it is fun to learn more and more.

10.  Your commitment to read the scriptures.  It's hard to remember to read every day by yourself, but you have really tried, and you give real attention to trying to understand what you read.

11.  Your willingness to work really, really hard to try to overcome challenges.  We all have challenges, and you are no exception. You have demonstrated a willingness to give energy and attention to overcoming hard things. Because of this, you will be ready to handle challenges all through your life.

I love you, Aubrey!