It's that time of year

No, not Christmas. Birthdays. October is a big birthday month for us. Samantha turned 14. Wow! The actual day of her birthday was low key. Friends decorated her locker and had gifts for her at school, Marshall and I stopped by at lunchtime with a cake from Dippidee to share with her friends. We discussed getting her a puppy. We looked all over and debated about it, but in the end decided it wasn't the best thing for us right now. Instead she got $40 (she is saving for an i-pod touch). I know, it's kind of a lame gift. By the way, Amy took the pic. Samantha didn't want any taken because she had just gotten home from swim, and as you all know, Scott refuses to wear a shirt to bed.
My dad stopped by with gifts for she and Amy from the family.

She had swimteam and then after that we had chicken spaghetti, homemade bread and cheesecake.

Samantha seemed content.
The next day we took the kids and 1 friend each to Lagoon.


We hadn't been in so long. They have some pretty cool rides. Really all I cared about was trying out Wicked and going on Colossus. Wicked did not disappoint. It was so much fun. I loved it! I made Amy and Scott go on it. Yes, I made them. That is the rule in our family. You don't have a choice. Scott was scared and started crying until I told him he could close his eyes. Amy loved it. Scott rode it again voluntarily, but I'm not convinced that he liked it. We took a picnic lunch with us complete with birthday cake. It was a fun day.
Sunday was filled with naps and leftover cake. Ugh!
Monday, Amy turned 11!

What? I just don't think that's right. But she assured me it was. It was another low key day. I made calzones for dinner and bought a coconut cream pie

because I couldn't eat anymore cake. She loved her boombox, which is what she requested and we made a CD for her with her favorite songs downloaded from i-tunes. 4 of them were Carrie Underwood. The rule in our house is no country music, but apparently I have more authority when it comes to roller coasters. Amy just loves her. And Taylor Swift. But at least she's happy.
Did I mention that every morning we do Amy's nails. Her nails are so perfect to begin with. We paint them crazy colors that drive her dad crazy and then add designs to match her outfits, which drives her dad even more crazy. For her birthday she had me write "happy bday!"
She doesn't get those nails from me, that's for sure!