Golden Birthday

Wearing the badge she got at Disneyland

 Happy Golden birthday to Xanthe!  She turned 10 on the 10th!  All week long, she said she wanted to go crazy because it was her last chance before hitting double digits.  I'm not sure why that was the deadline for craziness, but she really went for it.  Or planned to.  Monday, homework for five hours. (I actually had to get together with her French teacher and BAN Xanthe from doing the French homework.  It's way too difficult, and causing intense stress.  Not as much stress as NOT doing it, but something had to be done.) Tuesday, her first play practice for Oklamhoma! (Sorry, I can't leave out the exclamation mark.  I've tried.), which lasted until 10 pm.  Wednesday after ballet, practicing for Oklahoma! (see?) for four hours with YouTube sing alongs.  I think she has every word memorized.   Thank heavens that was all done before the second rehearsal!

Xanthe was so caught up in being her usual over-achieving self, she hardly thought about going wild.  So Thursday before school, she danced around the kitchen, swinging her arms and jumping, before checking her backpack for the 10th time and leaving for school.  Phew, glad she got all that Rumspringa out of her system before the dreaded Double Digits!

Xanthe's love language is food, so I purchased a dozen authentic empanadas from a girl who is  earning money to serve a mission.  That was our After School Snack.  All caps, because it's important to Xanthe to always know what The After School Snack is.  And see how the empanadas are golden, for Xanthe's golden birthday?  Sometimes, good moms buy food out of the back of a van in a parking lot next to a dumpster.  Where's my "smug" emoji?

 After the After School Snack, Coco took the birthday girl shopping.  As is usually the case with Coco, they were gone for hours and arrived home full of excitement as well as shopping bags.  Cute new dress for her birthday party, leggings to wear under the dress, pants for play practice, sweats for modern, socks because her feet stink if she doesn't wear socks, etc.  Xanthe is very practical.  Each item had an accompanying reason why she needed it for something.

 Coco and Xanthe visited Nana so Nana could wish her a happy birthday.

 They also bought a cat condo.  I think my parents have a serious cat problem.

 Next up, Royal India with her parents.  Xanthe tried to look at me and smile, but she was eyeing the food!  We ordered chicken saag and chicken coconut kourma, as well as a fancy berry lassi for the birthday girl.  Royal India might be the best restaurant in Davis County.  I crave the lamb saag in my sleep.  The chicken was good too, though.

Xanthe was delightful at dinner.  She is polite, grateful, happy and sweet.  We love our little spicy girl!