Birthday Girl II

 Our final birthday......actually a double birthday as Lauren was born on my birthday.   She thinks this is so neat that she shares this info often.   She always follows up the info with "well of course different years",  just cracks me up, as if the person might need clarification on that point. 

On her actual birthday,  she enjoyed eating at one of her favorite places ~  IHOP and opening some presents.  

We had a party for her on the weekend.  She had several friends over to have some fun and celebrate.   They painted birdhouses.....

opened gifts.......

and no Lauren party is complete without a pinata.....

we also played with some silly string, that was fun and produced lots of giggles

and of course cake and ice cream.   Lauren loves marshmallows  so we also had chocolate and sprinkled covered marshmallows.

not a great pic, but such a Lauren look 

Lauren is creative, inquisitive,  always wants to thoroughly understand something (read as asks lots and lots of questions),  loves to read,  draw, sculpt with clays and try all kids of crafty projects.  She loves nature and animals.   She is a great big sister,  very patient and encouraging with her younger brothers.  She's got a great sense of humor, likes to tell jokes and tease in a good natured way,  can be very silly and dramatic.  She is very compassionate and empathetic,  showing lots of concern for those with less ~  whether it's the kid in Sunday school who seems like a loner,  a guy asking for money or some story she's heard of kids in orphanages, with cancer etc,   she really takes these to heart and feels deeply for them.  She  adds a bit of sparkle to our family and were so thankful for it.  

Catherine