Rose's 11th Family Day

Dearest Rose,

It was 11 years ago on March 20th when our then family of four nervously and excitedly stood in the Green Room at FANA, peering out the door, waiting to catch a glimpse of our beautiful baby girl. We had waited four years for this moment. And the time was finally here! 

It seemed like forever when around the corner you appeared, dressed in pink from head to toe. The most precious little girl.

We looked on completely smitten as a FANA adult adoptee carried you into the Green Room...

And gently placed you in my arms. You were so little. Our beautiful Rose Angelina.

We all eagerly gathered around to meet you. After our long journey to you, you were finally here! In our arms where you belonged. 

You seamlessly took your role as the little princess. 

Everyone doted on you, even your big brothers.

Eleven years have flown by and our tiny princess has blossomed into our beautiful Rose. 

Your family day this year fell on a busy Friday, but we managed to squeeze in some yummy treats, including homemade snow cones! On your special day, we just had to indulge in dessert before dinner. You are our snow cone extraordinaire and have your very own machine to make snow cones whenever you so desire. Of course, Sam loves to be your helper, watching you and taste testing all your creations. 

For dinner, you picked one of your favorites, butter noodles from Noodles and Company. You sure do love their noodles!

The next day was Saturday so the celebration continued. You had a few ideas in mind as to what we'd be doing, but after hearing that the Minnesota Zoo had a Red Panda exhibit, you were sold!

It was a gorgeous and unseasonably warm day at the zoo. And so crazy busy! Everyone else in the metro seemed to have the same idea as us. There were so many people that it was hard to navigate through the exhibits pushing our double wide stroller. We barely stopped to look at any exhibits along the way as you had one thing on your mind...finding the red pandas! 

Did we see the red panda? Yes! But it was tiny and hiding in the trees, trying to evade all the peering eyes.

After the red pandas, we eventually made our way around the entire zoo.

And of course we stopped for lots of treats along the trek - mini donuts, T-rex cookies, dipping dots and more!

You and Kate were thrilled to make a visit to the gift shop. You each selected one item of your choosing. And what did you pick - a red panda stuffy of course!

After lunch, we ventured to the sea lion show before heading off for home.

After a long day at the zoo, you still had dinner plans to decide on. You had been begging for crab legs for months. It's your absolute favorite meal and something I only make a couple times a year. So it was only fitting that we headed to Red Lobster for your Family Day Celebration dinner where you had a heaping plate of crab legs all to yourself. What a great way to end a fun day celebrating you, our Rose.

Rose, these last 11 years have flown by in a blink of an eye. Oh how I miss those days of carrying you around, my adorable little princess. You have grown into such a beautiful young lady. Creative, opinionated, and spunky! 

Your toys have been completely replaced with blankets. You absolutely adore blankets. You must have a dozen of your own strewn across your bed and tossed on the floor of your bedroom. Soft and fuzzy, comfy and cozy. You love being wrapped up in one of your favorites.

Your number one, can't live without wardrobe item is quite obviously hoodies. You are always sporting a hoodie with your hood pulled up over your head, even inside the house. I've asked you on many an occasion, "Aren't you hot?" But you insist that it doesn't matter. You love your hoodies and will wear them in any degree weather. 

Music has become your lifeline. You can't go without it. You are always streaming your favorite songs and artists, singing lyrics, and bopping along to the beat. Your headphones are permanently attached to your head as you take in the heartfelt lyrics and catchy tunes all day long.

You have become quite the whiz in the kitchen. Sweet treats are your knacks - waffles piled high with fruit, chocolate and whip cream, shaved ice with your favorite flavored syrups, and smoothies created with your very own recipes. You love making everything fancy, complete with a fruit garnish. It looks just as good as it tastes!

Sammy is your #1 fan! That little brother of yours adores you and you are his fierce protector, not wanting to share him with your other siblings. He's definitely your little buddy and loves spending time with his "Rosey". Next to Aria, you are the only other sibling he can call by name. You have a way with him, calming him down when he's upset or getting him to do a non-preferred task when he's being stubborn. You are such a great big sister to your Sammy.

Rose, you are a shining light. You radiate such energy and excitement. You are passionate about what you love and highly determined to accomplish whatever you put your mind to. A very happy 11th Family Day to you, our beautiful Rose. We love you to the moon and back!