~Day 312: Happy BrookLynn Birthday? Oops.

Today was a busy day.  It started out with our Stake's "Day of Service."  Our ward went and helped out at Sunshine Acres.  We helped clean up and organize their distribution warehouse.

This is one of the views of the finished product.  We helped organize this space so the families can come and get items they need for Christmas.  

I was so proud of my kids for helping today.  They worked hard.

This little area was pretty cute.  A bunch of little girls were helping organize these shelves into little villages.  The girls were drawn here.  

There is a playground close to the warehouse.  The kids asked if they could play on it when we were done.  They deserved it after helping.  I love that they are outside.  It was a beautiful day.

    

I think the monkeys had fun for a few minutes.  I love to see them smiling.

For lunch we met up with Linda and her boys, Ian and Conner.  Brookie turned 8 today!  I can't believe she is getting so big.  She chose the location for lunch.  Ashton went home with Linda and her boys because I was going to take the girls to do girly things.  He really didn't want to get his nails painted.  I did think of him a lot today while he was away from me.  I know he had a good time with the boys.

The girls were pretty excited to get their first manicures.  They were able to pick out the colors they wanted.  They were hesitant at first, but then I think they enjoyed it.  They even got little flowers on their thumbs.  After the manicures we went over to the mall.  I had a mission to find some earrings to match some necklaces I had picked up.  But I let them look around and choose one item.  Of course they both came away with My Little Ponies.  I really don't like shopping unless I have something specific to get.  But they could shop all day.  They love it.  I really did enjoy spending  time with them doing girl stuff.  It's fun they are getting old enough to be able to do this.

We splurged and bought Brookie a cake.  She saw this one and fell in love with it.  The nice lady at the bakery offered to write on it before we left.  I think she didn't realize how long BrookLynn's name is.  So she kind of stuck the name on an open spot.  The lady asked if Brookie would like her name by the ponies... i guess so.  Just stick the name on there.  "Happy BrookLynn! Birthday"  It works. At least she got the capital L.  Very important.

Nick had the opportunity to shoot a wedding all day today.  So we did a little celebration without him.  Ashton said he could play HB on his recorder.  So he played while we sang.  It was cute.  We will do more celebrating tomorrow when daddy can be here.

I just love her faces.  She gets so animated!  I think she was pretty excited about the few things she got.  Of course, she received books.  The "Dork Diaries" is the one she got most excited about.  I'm so glad she loves to read!

Everyone was very exhausted.  I had the kids lay down a half hour earlier than normal.  Brookie went out almost immediately.  Cailee was not far behind.  After I told Ashton it was 'lights out' and to put his book away, he didn't last long either.  I sure love my little family.  It will be nice to have Nick home tomorrow so the kids can tell him all they did today.