Annie's a TWEEN?!?!

So apparently, according to my latest guides to being a good parent...8 to 12 is considered a TWEEN! I know...who knew?? I had no clue...but ready or not, my little girl is growing up! So instead of sticking my head in the sand, I am grabbing her hand and her heart and I am going to graciously (with God's help) walk through this stage with her! For her birthday, I bought a book called 8 Great Dates for Moms and Daughters by Dannah Gresh . On the morning of her big day, we are dreaming about all the fun dates we will be going on this year! The best thing is that I got it on my KINDLE! Love that thing!

Once again...our creative wrapping!

Mimi got her a bunch of new books! She can't wait!

Annie has had an obsession with rocks for a few years now...we found this at a used store...apparently it has no power cord though...so we will have to do a little search for one!

The fairy party! Tim made the girls each a set of beautiful wings with wire and knee highs! The girls LOVED the wings. They felt so beautiful flitting around the room! Josh and Bevin let us have the party at their cafe for an extra special touch! Thanks guys...we know how busy you are...you really made those girls feel special! We only had 4 little fairies, so we could really focus on them. Of course Zilan was there!

Annie and Shady

Annie and Reggine

Thanks to my new book, I gave the girls a little demonstration about how they are beautiful. I brought three cups a paper cup, a plastic cup and a beautiful tea cup! I told them how in God's eyes they are like the beautiful tea cup, to be treated with care and love.

Then we gave them each a hand massage with lotion.

They were quite baffled by this and didn't know what to do with themselves. Never have they been treated with such special attention. As I spoke words of love over Zilan she told me to stop because she felt like she was going to cry. But she soaked up more than the lotion into her little dry soul!

My own little fairy got to hear her Mommy again affirm her with love...I hope she always knows how beautiful she is, both inside and out!

the tea cups, fairy berries, magic wand cookies...Annie's disappeared quickly!

Fun and pretty!

We went around making wishes together and granting them with our magic wands! Zilan wished she would never have kids...she is stressed out and over worked at her own home having to constantly care for her two younger siblings. But with a little prodding we were able to get out of her that she wants to be a police woman some day! Other wishes included no more school and Annie wished for a baby sister!

In part of my growing and learning as a Mom...I have to learn to let go! It's painful! But this year, I let go of the cake! The girls decorated their own little fairy houses! They were so pleased with their efforts and hard work!

It was messy, but then real creativity always is...

their little brains and hands have never gotten to create like this before...it was a beautiful thing to watch and assist!

The completed fairy village! Not quite how I would have designed it all, but they were so proud of their accomplishments and I was too! They are amazing artists!

singing to Annie in Kurdish and English...thanks once again to my friend Jessica for supplying the cute plates and napkins, the fun candles and they even got to go home with pixie stix flowers! You're famous here Jess! Thank you for being a part of making Annie's day so beautiful!

one more wish for a baby sister and then they devoured their little creations! What a special day to celebrate Annie! She is growing into an amazing TWEEN. We couldn't be more proud of her. We are so thankful for every day with you Annie! Your friends said you are loyal and not proud. You never say mean words to your friends and they said you are friends with everyone no matter what they look like on the outside. Your little light is shining brightly Annie! Way to go girl...you are one amazing TWEEN!