Look out: She's double digits.

We had a great day celebrating Elizabeth's first decade of life. The morning began with crepes a la Dad.

Kate wanted to make a silly face

It was foggy in the morning but that did not deter us from going to Lake Loveland to play on the beach and swim in the lake. And incidentally, Elizabeth had 10 friends come to celebrate. We were the only people there from 10-12:30. Just as I said - "I will stay here as long as they want to. Why go home if they are just going to track sand in the house and ask me for food?" - it started to rain and got breezy. We had to call it. But everyone had a great time and we are going back in a couple weeks.

With her bestie, Annabel

These kids are getting tall

Kate eating her sandwich sandwiched between the Peacocks

After dinner it was time for gifts. She practically had more fun opening the cards than the actual gifts because money kept falling (or in once case, flying) out of the envelopes. She was pretty excited to get some spending money.

A 5 dollar bill flew out of the 3D cake in this card

 Then we got to Grandma Skalicky's card. Grandma's letters are always taped shut on all corners, and then taped again just for good measure. This time though, it took us so long to get it open we thought Elizabeth might turn 11 before she'd be able to read the card.

Getting started - she's looking optimistic

She called in reinforcements to get the card opened.

After she got the card open, it was on to the next challenge: bubble wrapped and triple taped earrings.

Still working

 She finally got it open but we were laughing so much about it I forgot to take a picture. Thanks for the earrings Grandma!

New purse from Mom

 Here is a cute earrings case from Nonnie

looks like a cowboy hat...

but opens to horse earrings =)

Then it was time for singing and apple pie.

Paul helps spell "Happy Birthday" with the candles

And here is the 10 year old walking around the house doing her chores with Taylor Swift "Red" playing on my totally old school portable CD player that I use for audio books. Throwback to the 80s for sure!

and of course Hannah peeks from behind