Happy Blur-thday Annamarie

My sweet girl turned eleven today, and I'm afraid I have reached a new low in birthday photo-taking. One of Karen Russell's children also had a birthday this week, and I am sure that next year my pictures are going to look as good as hers, after I take her photography class which starts Monday. I may also have to move to a place where it is possible to be outdoors in March using natural light, but we'll worry about that before Annamarie turns twelve. We are having friends over for dinner, cake, and ice cream on Sunday, so I will try harder then. Annamarie said several times today, "Look at me--I am the birthday QUEEN!"

Naturally, the best photo was of the cupcakes she took to share with her class. Her teacher sent her on an errand to the office, and her classmates hid under their desks and jumped out yelling "Happy Birthday" when she returned. It thrilled her and was so sweet of Mr. Smith to make it a fun day for Annamarie.



Annamarie chose Outback for her birthday dinner, where the waitress kindly assisted us in taking more blurry photos. We missed Thomas, who is coming home this weekend and will be here for Sunday's celebration. (There will be at least 12 people and it occurred to me today that I don't own 12 forks, knives, plates, or glasses. Hmmm.)





We concluded the evening by finishing a school project that is due tomorrow. It's the biggest project Annamarie has ever done, and we were doubtful at first about whether she would be able to handle it. We needn't have worried...she did get a good bit of help from us, but she is very proud of her garbage truck! (The assignment was to create a community helper vehicle 15-30 cm long and 8-15 cm high, with at least one element of symmetry, two simple machines, 3-dimensional, using only a list of approved materials. Her truck is made from a Diet Coke box, a pasta box, and prescription bottle caps for wheels.)