1st Day of School on Ally's Birthday

Our first day of school was an exciting one. It was also Ally's 11th birthday! It's a good thing she likes school so she could still look forward to it all summer. Here are the girls on their way out the door. They are both growing up so fast!

Ally's in 6th grade this year and Emily is in 4th grade.

I can't believe Ally is 11 years old!!

Emily wasn't thrilled about school starting until that morning. She woke up & was ready to go by 6:30am. She said she was so excited now & wanted to go see all of her friends.

After school we celebrated her birthday. She wanted to open her presents first thing of course.

She had lots of help!

Ally is pretty easy to shop for.....she loves books! She reads so quickly, it's hard to keep up with her. She's already read these two books plus two more since her birthday. She loved the Harry Potter series, Fablehaven, Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, Princess Academy, Stargirl, and probably more I can't remember. If anyone has any suggestions on good books for a pre-teen girl, please send me some!!! She has read every book in our house & could go to the library 2 or 3 times a week for new books if I can get her there.

She is excited for this next present!! With a birthday in August, school clothes are always a given. She has recently discovered the fun store, Aeropostale. Emily & I had gone there and found some cute things for her.

She got some jeans, shorts, a shirt & this cute jacket.

She also had another present waiting for her in the garage.... a new bike. She really needed a new bike since she had been riding the same one since she was about 5 years old. Her long legs just couldn't do it any more. We found a larger bike on purpose so she can grow into it.

It was a little tricky getting on & off of it the first few times but she's got the hang of it now. One time when she was struggling Luke said, "Ally you need training wheels." We all laughed a little, even Ally.

Well, like I said before, I can't believe she is 11 years old already! It just doesn't seem possible. She is a VERY big help to me with Luke & Lyla and does a pretty good job babysitting too. She LOVES school and is always doing excellent work. She's keeping up with her piano and is always trying new things. She decided to run for Student Council at school and campaigned all last week. She bravely gave her speech in front of all the 6th, 7th & 8th graders. Unfortunately when the votes were counted, she did not win her office. That's OK though. She said she wouldn't let that scare her and she's going to try again next year. That's our Ally!

We love you Ally!