Ruby Time

 Golda, Taylor, Eva, Lexie, Bentley and Ruby

 Fruit, chocolate and Coke.  Any questions?

 Presents waiting while the girls went hot tubbing in the icy air.

 Lexie created a candy bar letter for Ruby.  So cute!

There was a lot of discussion about what to do for Ruby's big thirteenth birthday.  We thought about a surprise party, we talked about something big and extravagant.  At one point, Scott even had access to two Southwest buddy passes.  He was tempted to surprise Ruby with a last-minute trip to Chicago, but it would have been far too expensive, even with cheap airfare.  Ruby isn't the type for a big party and dinner with friends didn't sound exciting enough.  She finally decided on an overnighter at my parents' condo in Park City to usher in her thirteenth year.

We drove up on Friday night after Lexie's ballet class and Bentley's babysitting gig, arriving at the "Ranch" in time for the girls to do some hot tubbing.  While they were out, I cut up some apples and pears, set out some snacks and kicked up my heels.  Ruby opened gifts, the girls watched My Big, Fat Greek Wedding and then they settled in for a late night of giggling and talking.  The group, Ruby's tried-and-true pals and "siskins," had a great time.  I enjoyed hanging in the background and listening to the patter, the gales of laughter and the gossip.  I liked it until about a quarter to two in the morning.  Then I had to insist on some sleep.

Eva had a volleyball tournament the next morning and we drove down the canyon to meet her mom in Sugarhouse at 9:00.  It was an early morning for girls who stayed up so late, but they were good sports.  We grabbed some smoothies and bagels at Barnes and Noble and looked at books before dropping Golda off at her flute lesson on 13th East and heading home.  We passed Scott on the freeway as he drove in to Salt Lake to get Golda.  We couldn't wait for her...the girls all had places to be.  We were lucky to get all of Ruby's favorite girls together for such a fun night, with everything they all have going.  I took Ruby straight to ballet on the way home.  As she hopped out of the car with her big bag, happy to be going to class, she merrily waved goodbye to her friends.  I couldn't help but feel grateful that Ruby has such good friends - such happy, energetic and involved girls - to create the memories with her that will make her laugh when she's my age.  In fact, I think we should make the Ranch Birthday Sleepover a tradition so that in the year 2032, the girls have a couple dozen experiences like this one to reminisce over, and more to come.