Victoria turns 10!!!

Early morning birthday doughnut before school


It doesn't seem like I should have a 10 year old, but alas I do, and it has been a fun ride so far. Last week Victoria turned 10. On the day of her birthday, we celebrated with lunch at Chili's and cake at home. It was funny, because we thought about invited a few people to cut cake with us, but then decided that not to, because we really don't know the meaning of "a few." But, wouldn't you know, as we were cutting the cake, our neighbors, Jose Luis and Adriana, rung the doorbell and enjoyed a piece of cake with us. For the "official" celebration, Victoria invited three of her friends for a sleep over at our local Holiday Inn. I will have to say, that all in all, it was an excellent idea! All the girls enjoyed their time with each other and got along really well, and it was a very fun and unusual activity for them. After school on Friday, we had lunch and then I, along with Isabella, took them over to the hotel to check and in and head for the heated pool. They spent all afternoon and evening in the pool with activities ranging from Olympic synchronized swimming competitions to playing queens of nature (queens of the ocean, sea animals, etc.). They opted to stay in for dinner, so we had pizza while they played Wii and watched movies. Amazingly enough, they were all asleep by 11:00 pm! I couldn't believe it! The next morning after breakfast, they swam some more before check-out time. Sam, Sofia and Olivia joined us for breakfast and swimming. Sofia had a very, very, very hard time with all of this, because she could not understand why life was so unfair that she could not spend the night at the hotel and enjoy all the same things her sister was enjoying. I get the feeling we haven't heard the last of it yet...probably won't for a few years! If I had known how relaxing it was going to be for me also, I would have done this long ago. It was really a great celebration.
Victoria is such a beautiful young lady still somewhere between a little kid and such a grown-up! She can go from a responsible young lady to a heap of tears over her sister's harassing. It is amazing and baffling. Victoria's sensitivity to others feelings always touches our heart. She is beautiful inside and out. We are so proud of her and look forward to many, many more birthdays.

Cake with the family on her birthday



Lunch with her friends on Friday before the festivities begin


Sofia looking the happiest she did all weekend. Usually she was a mess of tears for one reason or another.


Wii action



Victoria and her friends, Elsita, Fernanda and Dania