Happy Birthday to Blue

Aubree turned 11 earlier this month.  I think 11 is a reprieve birthday... it doesn't feel quite as momentous as turning 10, or usher in as many transitions as turning 12.  We quite enjoyed it!  

Aubree's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, which also happened to be Stake Conference.  She would've preferred a regular Sunday, so she could've seen her friends in primary and gotten birthday cupcakes from her incredibly generous teacher (the birthday cupcakes just came a couple Sundays later).  However, Stake Conference meant we were done earlier in the day and she had more time to relax, and play with cousins and siblings, and open presents. 

 

 Aubree's birthday CD had a lot of songs on it that she introduced to Mark.  That's a switch from the traditional!

Aunt Katie made the absolute perfect cake for Aubree - the book wormiest kid I know!

Aubree shared her birthday celebration with her cousin Jordyn.  Aubree liked her cake much better than Jordyn liked hers!

Ten was a good year for Aubree.  She's always been mature for her age, but ten brought an astounding increase in personal responsibility.  She is walking the fine line between childhood and adolescence.  She can happily play imaginative, make-believe games with friends and younger kids for hours.  Simultaneously, she's eager to be included in adult conversations and to have more freedoms and opportunities.  She saved up her money and purchased an iPod Touch.  Mark and I had many reservations about that choice, but she put together a strong, well-reasoned argument to try to convince us.  She even drew up a detailed contract for all of us to sign. 

Reading remains her favorite pastime. You wouldn't believe me if I told you how many books she devours in an average week or month.  I can hardly believe it myself, and I see it every day.  

Performing is another talent.  Aubree loves getting in front of a group and speaking, singing, acting, or playing an instrument.  I'm sure that skill will serve her well her entire life.

She is also a social butterfly, whose best part of every day is, "School! Everything about school!"  She's got a really fantastic school set up this year (I can't wait to blog all about it). 

Aubree is incredibly helpful at home, especially when it comes to Nellie.  Those sisters adore each other.  Nellie won't go to many people, but she will always go to Aubree, and often prefers her over me!  

I don't blame Nellie.  Aubree's phenomenal!

An Interview with Aubree:

Favorite Color?: "Turquoise."

Favorite Candy?:  "Milk Duds and Mini Charleston Chews, along with many others."

What do you want to be when you grow up?: "An author.”

If you went on a mission, where would you want to go?: "Somewhere in the United States, that way I don’t have to deal with really weird food."

Favorite Primary Song?: "Beautiful Savior."

Favorite Animal?: "Penguin."

Favorite Movie?: "Princess Bride and the new Cinderella."

Favorite Thing to Do?: "Read."

Favorite Food: "Too many to say… tortellini, apple puffed pancakes, corn chowder..."

Best Friends?: "Bethany, Bethelle, Gina, Kaitlyn, Lena, ZZ, Audrey, etc."

Favorite Book?: "Currently, the Wings series by Aprilynne Pike."

Favorite Toy?: "My cute penguin stuffed animals."

What makes you happy?: "A lot of things, such as reading, writing, and art."

Favorite thing to do with Mom?: "Play with Baby (Nellie) and help her walk."

Favorite thing to do with Dad?: "Daddy-daughter dates."

What do you do really well?: "Read and I’m getting better at math too."

What makes you laugh?: "When someone does something really funny."

What’s the best time of day?: "School, or when there’s nothing mandatory to do (like chores)."

What are you afraid of?: "I don’t know."

What do you like to do with your family?: "Play anything."

What do you love to learn about?: "Writing."

What is your favorite class/subject?: “I like all of them, but probably writing and literature.”

Where do you like to go?: "To the library and my friends’ houses.”

If you had one wish, what would it be?: "To have any superpower I wanted, whenever I wanted it."

What would you do if you had $1,000?: "Buy really cool stuff, like electronics."

What is your favorite song?: "Pretty much all of the ones from the hymn book and a couple Taylor Swift songs too."

What do you hope you can do before your next birthday?: "Make something for dinner all by myself." 

What's your favorite Super Hero?: "Supergirl."