Rose turns ELEVEN

Rose! You are now ELEVEN! My little girl has sure grown up. From such a tiny little princess to such a beautiful young lady.

On your special day, you got to open a couple fun gifts. The remainder of the gifts would have to wait until your party the following day.

You were quite surprised when one bag was hiding a particular bracelet making kit that you had requested but was sold out nearly everywhere online. After scouring the internet, I just happened to track one down at Barnes and Noble, and it arrived just in time for your big day.

For your birthday dinner, you requested one of your tried and true favorites - butter noodles from Noodles and Company. 

And for dessert...a surprise ice cream cake from Dairy Queen! 

The next day would be your big birthday bash - a combined party that you begrudgingly share with your big brother Owen every year as your birthdays are only 2 days apart. We had a wonderful time celebrating you, the birthday girl!

Rose, you have grown up into an independent, determined, fun-loving young lady. You love to be active. Golfing, swimming, and riding bike are a few of your favorite activities. Although sailing is your #1 favorite thing to do because it's both "fun and terrifying". You are definitely our thrill seeker!

You are adored by your little siblings. They love being around you - playing, snuggling, basically doing anything as long as you're near. They are happy just to spend time with you. Aria only has a handful of words, and wouldn't you know it, she started saying your name! She doesn't even say mom or dad, but can now say "Rosie"!

You love being cozy - fuzzy pjs, sweatshirts, blankets, you love them all! You have a wide assortment of the softest blankets available, but your all-time favorite remains the ratty, gray blanket from Target that fell apart after just one wash. But you adore it and carry it all around the house on a daily basis. Occasionally, you get oh so very cozy that you even fall fast asleep. 

You love being snuggled up in the softest of materials that on many an occasion you will wander the house in your Stitch costume. You got it for Halloween last year and have definitely put it to good use. I can't help but chuckle when I see you waddling around in your costume complete with Stitch ears and tail. You are just too cute.

Music happens to be one of your biggest loves. You are rarely found without your headphones on. They are pretty much glued to your head whenever you are home. You love grooving to your favorite tunes encompassing a very long list of artists. You love music so much that the instant you hop into the car, you request your Spotify playlist. When asked what your favorite artist or song currently is, you had a difficult time narrowing it down to just one, but Alex Warren's song "Ordinary" made it to the top of your list.

You are a huge smoothie connoisseur. You will whip up the most elaborate concoctions, layering various flavors of strawberries, raspberries, mangos, yogurt, and more to make quite an impressive drink. And of course, your drink must have a fancy garnish right on top.

Rose, you are our fun-loving, creative, beautiful tweenager who is growing up before our very eyes. Here's wishing you a very happy 11th birthday. We love you to the moon and back!