My 10-Year-Old

10 years has gone by way too fast! Victoria is still the spunky, vibrant, girl she has been since birth. I enjoy watching her use her spunk in her interactions with her friends. She has become more responsible, which is nice to see too.

Still dancing, playing the piano, and enjoying art and science, she got to try her hand (or foot) at soccer this fall for 6 weeks. She looked pretty good to me and seemed to enjoy it. She still has a great imagination and enjoys doing crafts with friends.  She loves to reorganize the stuff in her room over and over.

I measured her the other day and her eating more has paid off. She grew over 2 inches this last year! No wonder she's already borrowing some of my clothes!

She has been into Harry Potter the past few years, but this past year it has become one of her favorite things. We're reading the 6th book right now. After each book she gets to watch the movie.

When someone loves Harry Potter that much, what better than to have a Harry Potter party? I finally conceded and let her invite 12 girls to her party this year, though one didn't come. It was a hang -out party. The first Harry Potter movie (a 2 1/2 hour film) played for most of the time in the living room. I had the craft table set up in there too for the girls to decorate their witch hats. In the basement, beyond the "brick wall" and platform "9 3/4" was where the karaoke and Twister were set up. The basement ended up being the "crazy" place, including hide-and-go-seek in the dark, but everyone had fun and was safe. I was happily on the first floor where the kids would watch the movie, work on their craft, and eat. My younger three had a blast as well. Erik enjoyed all the attention, Austin liked playing with the crazies in the basement, and Karissa was like another guest doing a little of everything.

This, plus pizza, pumpkin bars, and cider, was our spread. 

Moaning Myrtle, right in front of the bathroom (you'll have to read or watch Harry Potter if you don't get it). 

Our "brick wall" to go through.

I didn't realized this was so blurry! Just the gang eating. 

They did watch a lot of the movie.

Witch hat craft

Blurry because Erik was trying to pull the tray down to blow out the candles himself. We sang in the living room so Victoria could play "Happy Birthday" on the piano while we sang. 

My kids aren't the only hams!

Erik loves Janelle. He's smiling here, even though you can't see it. 

Karissa's witch hat and a bat she made hanging from the ribbon. 

Saturday, Victoria's real birthday, was full of her last day of soccer (which included a banquet with trophies, to her excitement), dance class, and swimming at the Summit since it happened to be a "free" day with our pass. A friend ended up helping Jason with some electrical work on our shed, so we had him stay, and invited his family whose kids are friends of our kids, for dinner. Victoria always enjoys lots of attention, so it was a great day for her!

She's the one in the sun glasses. I'll post about the soccer season later.

The best part about soccer for her? Receiving a trophy!

Austin played too!

I love my 10-year-old!