Jen's Journal: Oct...

Eight. That's how old she turned today. I can't believe just a year ago I'd posted a birthday post about her (to include all her birthday pictures from birth through age 7! What's even more unbelievable is how big she's gotten in just the past couple of months...

Stevie started 3rd grade this year. I was having such a hard time with her in the beginning. I'm not sure if it was because I was pregnant and impatient, or too strict with her, or expected too much from her. It seemed like there was just that ONE switch that refused to come on in her brain - and it was the one I tried the hardest to flip on for her! I couldn't get her to remember to make her bed every morning... or to put her dirty clothes where they needed to go. I couldn't get her to understand that she was her little sister's only friend - and that shutting the bedroom door in her face to "play by herself" wasn't the nicest thing in the world. I crossed my eyes in frustration as Stevie couldn't grasp that it was easier to read ONE library book at a time from school, instead of one at home, one at school, one on the playground, and one for every place in between.

Then magically, one day... it happened. She started getting along with Ava! She started bringing home grades of 90 or better from school (not that she's ever had below an 80!) She started making her bed every morning without my having to ask her to. Occasionally she needs a little reminding - but she was doing it on her own finally... If we ask her to do something, it's usually met without an argument! I'm just amazed at how respectful and responsible she's turning out to be.

She finished piano lessons (as you can see from the previous post!) The recital went beautifully, with Stevie playing every single note of her three pieces correctly. She worked so hard, practiced 5 times a week (against her will) and was so excited to dress up and have her hair curled and play for a church filled with people who were there to support the kids' hard work! Thanks to Mrs. Laura Hartz for teaching Stevie about music, to appreciate it, to find it, to love it... Now, Stevie's been chosen as part of the intermediate keyboarding class at school where she'll continue to play and practie and learn at school (for free!) :D

Stevie's final week of soccer is this week... Oct 23rd will be her last game, complete with medals, certificates, and n end-of-season team party :) Hoping that her grandmother makes the drive from France on the Friday night so she can watch Stevie play in her last game and be part of the festivities!

As for today, Stevie's actual birthday, the celebration was small. With a baby sister due at just about any minute, I didn't want to deal with a HUGE celebration and tons of people - just in case we had to cancel. I got her a small cake, she got to open gifts from me and daddy, and daddy took the girls swimming for an hour or so and picked up McDonalds for lunch! Now, she's outside with her new iCarly video camera, taking videos of her friends to put on the computer later :P

The BIG birthday party will be on 30 October... Nico's family is all coming from France to visit the new baby when she arrives.... and we'll throw a huge birthday party for all three of my October girls! (and his mom!) It'll be interesting to see how 14 people fit in our little apartment, but that's the thing I love about my family... Though there are many - we are filled with love! I love being packed in, talking, hugging, laughing, spending time with one another. We'll also get to take our nephews trick or treating!! Can't wait for such a fun-filled weekend!!!

Well... below, pictures from today :) Ava insisted on helping blow out the candles. . . Fortunately she wasn't too heartbroken about the fact that there were no gifts for her. I'm glad she was such a big girl about it. Her special day will be here on the 27th!