Double Digits!!

I am floored that our little girl is 10 years old --- and she is so excited to be in the double digits!   When I woke up Kristina this morning to go to school, she was greeted with sloppy kisses from our dog, Maty, and the knowledge of knowing gifts awaited her on the kitchen table.  Boy - I wish she got up so enthusiastically every morning!

Sound asleep....this little girl can sleep through a 7.5 earthquake.  Hope I don't have to be her alarm for the rest of her life!

Waffles and strawberries...breakfast of champions!

Note:  The glasses are just for looks....

After much pleading, we gave in and let her open up one gift before school.  It was a motivator to make it on time!

A "K" necklace from Justice.  All is good in the world.  :)

It's been raining here daily in Southern California but it didn't dampen the spirits of our little girl.  I think she told anyone she came into contact with at school and anyone else who would listen that "today is my birthday!"

After spending a few hours at school with her friends, we picked her up to go out to dinner with friends at the Cheesecake Factory.  Monalisa --- the mom of Kristina's friend, Jasmine --- shares a birthday with Kristina so our families have celebrated together over the last few years.  And this thrills Kristina that she gets to hang out with Jasmine on a school night!

We've turned a corner for the most part - Kristina's reading has been improving this year!

Always in a hurry...but had enough time to open up one gift before dinner.

If it's shoes and it has glitter, it has "Kristina" written all over it.

Kristina and Jasmine met 5 years ago today at Disneyland.

Nail polish --- in every color under the sun!  Score!

Jasmine had something to say to Kristina...

She wrote a poem for Kristina's birthday!

Awwwww!

Kristina's favorite candy is Peanut Butter Cups....so, of course, she had to get Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake!

I wonder what this wish is for....

When we returned home, Kristina got to open gifts and cards from Grammy and Poppy, Nana and Grampa, Auntie Erin/Uncle Jim/Jimmy and Andrew, and, of course, us.  Great restraint was practiced as Kristina has been trying to open these gifts since before breakfast!

It was late Florida time, but Kristina opened her card and gift with Grammy and Poppy on the phone.

The photo doesn't do it justice but it's a heart pendant with butterflies on it.  On the back it reads:  "My granddaughter, I love you today, tomorrow and forever."

Whoa....one of those cool cards with green stuff inside!  Thank you, Nana and Grampa

We had her at the "Justice" box....  This girl LOVES clothes!

A gift from Auntie Erin, Uncle Jim, Jimmy and Andrew.  Clothes!

A big bag holding lots of little things:  leggings, T-shirts, her favorite snacks, and...

A DracuLaura make-up kit and doll!

Even tho' we had dessert at Cheesecake Factory, we kept up with the tradition of having a matryoshka on her birthday cake/cupcake -- simply to remember that none of this would be possible if a young woman in Russia hadn't made the decision to give this little girl a better chance at life.  Here's our cupcake "photoshoot"!

It's not as long as it has been in the past...but Kristina wants to cut her hair short (shoulder length) and we're having a hard time parting with it!!

There are 10 candles, plus one for good luck.

After a quick shower and much coaxing to get into bed, Kristina fell asleep within 5 minutes.  I laid down with her and held her...for two hours.  I feel so blessed to be this little girl's mom!

The Interview

Before she went to bed, I asked Kristina a few questions.  These are her answers:

How old are you today?  "10 years old!"

What is your favorite color?  "Purple"

What do you want to be when you grow up? "A Teacher"

What is your favorite ice cream?  "Cookie Dough"

What does Mommy tell you all the time?  "Remember to say 'Please' and 'Thank You'"

What does Daddy tell you all the time?  "I love you."

What is your favorite food?  "Pasta with butter.  Oh, and chicken noodle soup."

What is your favorite animal?  "Puppies"

What is your favorite song?  "Notes in Your Lunch Bag by Bizaardvark"

Who is your favorite singer?  "Zendaya"

What is your favorite book to read?  "Babysitter Club"

What country do you want to travel to?  "Russia - because that is where I am from!"

What do you want to accomplish while you are 10 years old?  "Getting better grades."

What is your favorite saying?  "I love you, too."

Who is your BFF?  "I have several:  Jasmine, Gabriela M, Natalie, Isabella, Isaiah -- and mommy and daddy."

Who is your boyfriend?  "Roman (B.)"

As we lay down in bed, I remembered one more question to ask her:

Who do you love more than anything or anyone?  "God!  Then you and daddy, and then my birthmom, A..., for having me."

Yes, our little girl is getting older, becoming more wise and aware, and starting to ask more questions.  I hope someday to have the answers to her questions that have yet to be asked.  In the meantime, I will relish every moment of this young age as we are on the cusp of tweenhood sooner than I thought!

Happy Birthday, sweet baby girl - we love you most!