Twelve Years with Ginger

Ginger turned twelve today! What's up with that? It seems like just the other day that Rophone and I were marveling over the fact that Pen was twelve. I'm sure I'll get used to all of this kids-getting-older-at-the-speed-of-light thing right about when they leave the house. 

I am so happy to have Ginger as my daughter. She is turning out to be such a superb human being. I love how helpful she is, what a good big sister she is, and how she can take advice and apply it to do things better the next time. She is super fun to talk to and I can't wait to see what this year brings for her. 

Tonight we had my sister, Art, and her family and also my mom come over for a little party. We opened gifts before dinner, and Ginger got a lot of clothes in her favorite sherbet-y neon colors. Super cute on her. She also got some Tom's. It took a few years to wear Rophone down (he thinks they look like prison shoes), but eventually he always gives in, the softy.

Art made Ginger this really neat three-legged trinket/jewelry dish. It is super cool.

There was some fun with bows taking place during the present opening, of course. There always is.

Ginger's requested dinner of fajitas was really nummy. The flavors are so, so good. After that we ate the wrecky-looking but good-tasting cake. It's not the first time I've made the cake that Ginger requested, but it's the first time I've messed it up. Guess that's what I get for trying to multi-task. I accidentally added too much cream to the chocolate peanut butter glaze for the top of the cake, and it was lumpy.

It started out looking pretty good...

...and ended up looking pretty bad.

At least Ginger thought it was delicious. It worked just fine for the blowing out the candles thing, too.

I had a blast celebrating Ginger's birthday and I hope she did, too. Happy Birthday, Ginger! We love you!