Makenna is 11

Our sweet little girl is growing up too fast recently. I have had several people ask what we are feeding her because she is looking so tall!  She has topped 5 feet and has long legs, but remains graceful.

Matt was able to come home early Saturday (the day before her birthday) so we went out for crab--her birthday request.  She did get to see one present that day, because there was no hiding it.  We had arranged for "a bit of earth" for her to step up her gardening endeavors.  Matt thought of the sign.

 It's getting a bit warm, but she has grand goals for more veggies and flowers now and in the fall.

On her birthday we woke up and went to the beach.  It was rather windy, so we brought the boogie boards in hopes of using them, but upon arrival, we realized the wind was blowing the wrong way and the water was very calm.  It was still gorgeous.  The sand was warm, not hot.  The water was cool and refreshing.  We stayed for 3 hours and mostly avoided sunburns.

 Jess spent a good chunk of time trying to catch a fish with a sandwich baggie.  It never worked out.  If you look close in the picture, you can see a couple fish shadows.  The fish themselves are nearly transparent.  

 They found a few clams and a couple of snails.  They built a little habitat and observed them for a while.  

The snails were named Romeo and Juliet. 

After a few hours at the beach, we came home showered, and I took the girls to a nail salon for the girls' tradition.  We finished in time to swing by and pick up Isaac and take him to kickboxing and the girls to gymnastics.  Normal.  

For dinner, we made Makenna a salad bar.  There is a good salad bar place called Sumo Salad at Mirdif City Center that we try to mimic sometimes.  Everyone is happy because you get it just how you want it.  

 Not a cake, Fruit Pizza!  Isn't it gorgeous?  Makenna decorated it herself.  

We used fruity tea lights for candles instead of the skinny tall traditional ones.  Besides not needing to be planted in the cake, they have the huge added benefit of not melting wax all over it.  

 Her face when she first saw the seed packets. 

As I type this a week later, the lettuce has already sprouted. 

Thanks grandma Chris.  She wore it to the pool the very next day.  She loves the neck ruffle. 

My budding seamstress also got a few skirt patterns to try with the fabric we found.  She is eager to cut and sew.  

This was from Jess.  It was a complete surprise to me and I think the most thoughtful gift of all.  It was done in green ink.  Inside is her acceptance letter and required materials list.  Makenna got it on her 11th birthday.  Wow.