Lucky Number Seven

So, as I've mentioned in the last two posts, Landry's seventh birthday was this past Thursday.

In the past few days we have heard this:


This is the best birthday ever.

Today was the best day of my life.

You are the most awesomest parents ever.

Oh yeah...mom of the year here. (not)

Most of this has everything to do with her birthday surprise from PopPop and Gigi.

We met my mom & dad on Abilene on Wednesday (you know, the day it got down to 9 degrees here and school was delayed because it was icy?) so Landry would have her birthday present by her actual birthday.

Meet Baxter.

Or, as Korley pronounces it--Bastard.

We have been telling Landry for as long as she's been able to ask for a dog that she wasn't going to get one until she was eight. So, needless to say, she was VERY SURPRISED that she got a dog. Gigi picked out the perfect pooch a couple of weeks ago and took care of him at her house until we met in Abilene. It was a GREAT surprise!

I have to admit that I'm not much of a dog lover (or any animal for that matter), but Baxter has been a pretty good pup so far. He doesn't bark or shed, which is a plus--and, once he figures out the whole potty training business then we've got it made. Fortunately, since he's only about 3 lbs right now, his "potty" isn't very substantial!

Landry had school and gymnastics on her birthday, like she does every Thursday. So, since we didn't get finished with all of that until early evening and didn't have time to go out to eat for her birthday, I told her I would make whatever she wanted to eat for her birthday. She chose her favorite dish--macaroni and meat.

Macaroni and meat? Yeah, I wouldn't have chosen it, either, but she LOVES the stuff. Actually, it was "discovered" by accident. I made beef stroganoff one night and didn't have any egg noodles, only macaroni noodles. However, it was an instant hit with Landry and Korley--and that was the beginning of macaroni and meat.

Landry and Jeff fist-bumped over mac and meat.

After mac and meat, we had birthday brownies--again, Landry's request.

During dessert, Landry asked, "who likes brownies?" It was unanimous.

Then, Landry opened her two presents from us.

And read her card. She's so good. She ALWAYS reads the cards. Even amid all of the chaos at her birthday party with her friends, she would stop and read the cards that came with her gifts. I'm so proud that she's so thoughtful.

Landry--happy birthday, sweet girl. We love you so much and are so proud of you! We are so lucky to be your parents!