Tennie is NINE!!!

Tennie is nine today! Nine? Is it possible? She is a young nine, still very much into dressing up and playing dolls. She still prefers baths with her sisters rather than a shower alone, and thankfully isn't concerned with appearance or fashion...(yet!) On the other hand, she is beginning to prefer sitting with the adults at dinner and engaging in their conversations. She is becoming more flexible with change, and disappointment. She controls her emotions more easily and follows through on tasks. She sets goals for herself and reads her scriptures first thing each morning. She is helpful and increasingly responsible. It is fun to watch her grow and mature. She doesn't want to grow up. She loves being young. And yet she feels herself growing up and moving on a little. She feels a little angst about it. We keep telling her that life just gets better and better.

Years ago we had lots of tears about the birthday girl wanting to sit in a particular chair at dinner, or having a particular favorite fork, etc. We instituted "Queen for a Day" but it soon morphed into "Boss for the Day", getting worse and worse over the years. Yesterday we made a clear distinction between being "Queen" and being "Boss" and only had to give a few reminders throughout the day.

We celebrated her birthday yesterday so her aunts, uncle and cousins could be here (they all left early this morning), although we'll do her birthday adventure later. It was a full day, as all of these past days have been. We started of with a trip to the beach since Ian, Liz and Emily wanted to swim in the Mediterranean.

Everyone has to do their part carrying things up the stairs.

Our front gate

Adorable Jamison at the beach

This was the girls first "dip" this year. It wasn't nearly as warm as it looked; there was a cold breeze.

We went back to the house to shower and then went to St. Agnes, the small town where we got horses and went horseback riding in the mountains for Adele's birthday.

Tennie reading a clue in her traditional treasure hunt. Clues were trickier for her this year but they were still too easy.

After showers and baths, and the treasure hunt and presents we headed up to St. Agnes, the town where we went horseback riding for Adele's birthday. Views are amazing, and the town, built in the 1100s is so charming.

We went straight to Italy for the birthday gelato (do you feel like you know this place now?!)

We picked up some pizza and salad, stopped by a pastry shop where everyone picked their favorite pastry (Tennie's request instead of cake) and we went home and had a rapid party so we could get the kids to bed at a decent hour for the first time in days, and get everyone packed up. It was a great day. We are sad to see our visitors go! Thanks for coming Emily & Bailey and Ian, Liz & Jamison! And Happy 9th Birthday, Tennie!!!