Double Digits for JoJo!

This morning I was woken up by little Gloria at 7:22am. As she pulled me out of bed and handed me my glasses she informed me: Its time to eat, Mama!

I had been dreading the crib to bed transition and had been putting it off until school let out.
To my surprise, Gloria's been sleeping soundly in the full size bed snuggled up with Jo (Gloria calls her My Little JoJo) for the past six weeks.  There's been only a few times we've had to march Gloria back to bed. Several mornings they've both slept well past 9am.

Today as I was making chocolate chip pancakes, Mallory brushed her hair and put on her Christmas dress. Coryn helped Gloria put on a summer dress. At 8:07am Mallory and Gloria paraded into the kitchen singing Happy Birthday to JoJo. Coryn had her nose in a book.

After breakfast Jo opened her gifts. A card from Coryn, a time capsule and Mad Libs from Auntie Sarah, a playmobil set from Grammy and Pop Pop and a novel, a journal and 3 gel pens from Mom and Dad.

Smiling ear to ear, Jo promptly escorted her 3 sisters downstairs to play with the playmobils.


Earlier this week we celebrated GG's 87th birthday. Jo dimmed the dining room lights. Mallory poked 12 candles into a cheese danish and Coryn lit them with a lighter. We sang Happy Birthday to GG, and GG sang I Thank You, I Do before blowing out the candles.

Jo made ham and cheese sandwiches for a picnic lunch and we drove down to the lakefront. The girls played on the playground and then we found a shady tree to sit under for lunch. It was sunny and hot. Lake Michigan was a deep, sparkling blue.

We headed to Northpoint for frozen custard and ordered shakes, cones and sundaes. Then we waited and waited. After our order number had been long passed up, GG inquired at the window. Somehow our order had gotten lost in the lunch hour rush. A few minutes later we were all struggling to slurp up the custard before it slid off the spoon and pooled on the table. Driving back to her house, GG remarked how well the trees have filled in this year.


Matt is able to stay home with the younger ones this morning. Jo has asked to get her ears pierced today. We'll head to the mall and then pick up an ice cream cake for her Jungle Pyramid party tomorrow. Tonight she's requested mashed potatoes and meatloaf for dinner.

Happy 10th Birthday Josephine!
You are a kind, thoughtful and imaginative young lady and a loving big sister.

We are so proud of you!
Love,
Mom & Dad