She Had a Birthday, Shout Hooray!

See this girl? Yeah, she's my favorite. Not only is she the most creative, funny, clever girl I know, she's also the cause of celebration this week because now she's 12!

Her dad brought her donuts before school--her favorites, including donut holes. After he dropped her off at school Bryce called me and told me about their conversation in the car:

Bryce: Mary, I'm going to sing to you! "You've had a birthday, shout hooray! We want to sing to you to--"

Mary: Dad. Please. Don't.

Bryce: But I want you to know how special you are!

Mary: It's not like we don't sing that song every single month in Primary.

Bryce: But I want everyone to know today's your big day! So when you get out of the car I'm going to sing it again.

{They stop and she exits.}

Bryce: "You've had a--"

{She quickly shuts the door and runs for the building.}


It was all in good fun because Bryce could see her trying not to smile!


While she was gone I picked up the cake, shopped for dinner, made coconut macaroons (per her request), cleaned up the house and decorated the table. It was a busy morning but worth it!

The table with the macaroons. If you don't like coconut you wouldn't like these cookies, but if you do . . . oh man, they were the bomb.

After school she told me that Nikki embarrassed her by informing the class it was Mary's birthday, and then everyone sang to her. By the smile on her face she didn't look too embarrassed to me!

For dinner I set out her favorite things: a cheese plate with sharp cheddar, Brie, and Swiss; a fruit plate with pineapple, blueberries, and kiwi; and a bread plate with baby bagels and French bread. I also made homemade chicken noodle soup (not for her) but for the rest of us. Not all of us can survive on the diet of a Parisian model.

Party time. There's the cake.

We had Bella over for dinner and the party, which was a treat for Mare because she hadn't been able to get together with friends all week.

Isn't she a cutie!

Extremely posed picture of blowing out the candles. It looks more like "sucking in" the candles.

Bryce took this gem of a candid shot! You can see where Cam's mind was during the party!

Her lip gloss be poppin'. Her lip gloss be cool.

She got the DVD of Phantom of the Opera . . . and then proceeded to sing the theme song.

She knew she gave a stellar performance!

We are so glad to have Mary in our lives. She has a big personality and a big heart. It's hard to believe she'll be in Young Women now: going on temple trips, roughing it at girls camp, attending Mutual every Wednesday, and making new friends. Such good things! But no matter how old she gets she'll always be that little girl who stole my heart and showed me that God answers prayers--my baby Mary.