Celebrating TEN!

From the moment that she started getting ready for school until the moment she fell asleep, Miss Gracie knew the day was all about her! She had so much fun celebrating at school and loved that when she got home in the afternoon, Nana and Papa were here to help us keep the fun going.

Gracie's goodies for her classmates and teaching team

Make a wish, pretty girl!



Having so much fun opening her gifts!
Miss Thing got an entirely new spring/summer wardrobe, some flashy sunglasses and new books.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, enjoys cake and ice cream she can't actually "eat" better than this girl!

TEN

Dearest Gracelyn Marie,

Today you are ten. TEN. Double digits. The "fun" ASL number. I am amazed by this. Amazed that ten years have passed since you entered and changed this world. Amazed that they've gone so quickly and so slowly all at the same time. Amazed that, with all you've endured, you are here... and sassy, sweet, silly and totally ready to celebrate. You are keenly aware that today is going to be all about you. I am amazed at how saying that you are "ten" takes my breath away a bit. Amazed, more than anything, my sweet girl, by you. You are our miraculous, courageous, spunky, spirited, brave, smart, resilient, loving, funny, popular (serious "likes" for anything about you on facebook! LOL!), beautiful girl.

This journey you are on (and that we are on with you) is certainly not one that Daddy or I would have chosen.  The challenges you've faced and will continue to face, the daily pain and discomfort, the hell you've been through on so many levels... these are not things that any parent chooses for their child.  To say, "I wouldn't change a thing" is an outright lie.  I would change all of that... take all the bad away in a heartbeat... if, and only if, you would still be you.  If, and only if, we could still look at life in the same way that we do being your (as you are) parents.  If, and only if, your warrior spirit and spunky personality would be totally intact.  But, we know this is not possible and, therefore, I wouldn't change anything. 

You have, in your ten years, endured more than most people endure in their entire lifetime... and you do so with such Grace.  It is our honor and privilege to be your parents.  You are our greatest teacher, our inspiration, our living angel and reminder to take each day, each moment, by breathing in and living in the moment.

Happy 10th birthday, sweet girl.
All my love,
Mommy

Looking back on birthdays...
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine

Gavin (Month 14)

You continue to be such a sweetie pie, Gavin.  You have a gentle, loving disposition and are rough and tumble at the same time.  I could spend the entire day staring into your big, beautiful, soulful blue eyes.  Here is a look at you in pics over the last month...

Taken March 18th (in your Rangers onesie from Kim Clayton... BUT you're a Giants fan!!).
 I love your sweet expression and that you're right next to the table so I can see how big you were then!
(You outgrew that onesie by the end of the month!)



After waking up early, I brought you in bed with me.  You were so comfy cuddled up with my Elmer, I hated to wake you to take Preston and Gracie to school! 



On Easter, with the obligatory Swann Family "Easter Ears"



Eating a "Peep" and trying to decide if you really liked it.
You never ate another one!



One of my favorite pics of you and Bubba following one of his baseball games.

Bubba blowing bubbles inside for you and Gracie.
It was too cold and windy to do it outside.
This was the first time you were able to partake in the joy of popping bubbles.
Now you go to the drawer where they're stored and ask for them!

Bubbles!!!

Lookin' so cool and BIG in your Giants gear at Preston's game.

Hanging in the stroller for a snack break on Gracie's birthday outing.

Hello there Mr. Sweet, Soulful Eyes!



Rocks in each hand... pockets, too!

Fairyland Family Fun Day

As a fun family outing to celebrate Gracie's birthday, we went to Fairyland in Oakland. It was a beautiful, warm (but not too warm) Sunday and everyone had a wonderful time. So thankful to Nana for the great suggestion... it was a perfect day for Gracie.
(It can be really difficult to plan a party for Gracie as her health is so fragile and unpredictable. We decided that we'd do a family outing that she'd enjoy instead of hosting a party that could, quite easily, fall right in the middle of a migraine cycle for her. It wouldn't be about her if we were having a big shindig that she couldn't/wouldn't enjoy or would cause her undue stress!)
 

Our beautiful birthday girl!
Gracie thoroughly enjoyed all of the varieties of plants, shrubs, flowers and trees at Fairyland.  She spent a ton of time inspecting leaves and flowers as we strolled through the many gardens on the property.

Hilarious to me... Preston was being a ham after watching me take a gazillion pictures of Gracie with a dandelion in the parking lot before we'd even entered the park.

All three kids loved the old, small carousel.
Gavin is not pictured as I couldn't manage to hold him and take a picture at the same time!

Snippets of the Gav-man enjoying Gracie's birthday outing.
It just so happens that the baby girl in the top left picture shares the same birthday as him.  Gavin was trying so hard to talk to her about the "mama" aka, Snow White.  He was adorable looking at the various character and animal statues.

Gracie enjoyed the magic show for about ten minutes.  Unfortunately, the first ten minutes were mostly really corny jokes and, by the time the action started, she had totally lost interest.  Preston, however, had a blast. I'm not sure who had more fun, Preston watching the magic show or John and I watching him while he watched the show.
At one point he terrified us by moving seats when the man was about to juggle "blades" and told the kids in the front row to watch out for their lives.  He moved so fast that it took us about three minutes to realize where he had gone... still near the front, but way over to the side!  LOL!  He LOVED the juggling and fire-eating.  His facial expressions were priceless!!
 

'Nuff said.  We have to get better about making sure we are in pics with the kids! 

 

A picture is worth a thousand words... so here are several thousand about how much our girlie loved her special day!

Gavin... all smiles with rocks in his pockets, rocks in his hands, rocks in his mouth... that about sums up what's going on anytime he is outside right now.  Well, that and one of his brother's hats if he can get his hands on one!

If it can be climbed up and jumped off, Preston will find it!