Birthday season has begun

Taya’s birthday was today: the first in the season of all of our birthdays. We have 1 in April, 2 in June, 3 in July, and 1 in September.
It’s hard to believe how fast her ten years has flown by. In some ways it’s so vivid when she was a baby, and in other ways I have a hard time remembering her any other way. I’ve decided this is my favorite age. I used to think that about 18m-2y was the best as they’re learning to talk, and everything they do is so cute, but she’s so loving and appreciative of everything, does as she’s told, never gives attitude or drama. Not sure how long that will last, but we’re enjoying her so much! And is it just me, or does she look just like a better version of me?


After her "photo shoot," she was overjoyed to find cake and gifts! We didn't have a 1 nor a 0 candle, so she made "math" candles by adding up the numbers to make 10. The more she can blow out, the better. Just wait until she's 30 or 40 or 50 and realizes that's just a lot of candles, less is more!

Levi's tooth, first in, first out

After all that work as a baby to cut this thing in, all the tears and fussing, there it goes simple as anything. He was near the end of kindergarten when he lost it, and was beginning to fear he'd be the only one in his class not to have lost a tooth before the end of the year, even though he was the oldest kid in class! When the tooth fell out, his adult tooth was already peeking out behind it. We were hoping his cracked front tooth would fall out first, since he cracked it when he fell and broke his leg, and now it's gray, loose, and has a bit of an infection in the root. The pediatric dentist said to leave it alone and let it fall out on its own. The tooth fairy rewarded him generously for his patience, and he regularly wiggles all his teeth to find out which one is next to go "down!"