Last week we celebrated Clara’s 9th birthday. Thursday we had the Kane family over for lunch. It was their normal day to come for piano lessons, so we added on lunch to enjoy some extra fellowship with them. Friday we had Clara’s family birthday celebration.

This was Clara’s first year to help decorate her birthday cake. She chose peanut butter frosting with chocolate cake. It came out both cute and tasty! Clara chose hotdogs, baked meals, and mac&cheese (with salad added on) as her birthday meal. I made lots of food so everyone would have enough, but it ended up that people weren’t as hungry as normal, so we had lots of leftovers. After the meal we did gifts, then cake, and then Clara’s slideshow. All Clara’s siblings were very intentional with their gifts for her, and it was sweet to watch the giving and receiving. This year we gave Clara a violin, so she can start the lessons she’s been wanting so badly. So far she’s had one lesson and is keeping up with her practicing.

Clara’s birthday always sneaks up on me after Christmas, and I’m often surprised to find out she’s going to be another year older. Clara is a girl who is full of energy and loves to have a good time. She’s made good progress in math this year, after struggling with wanting to understand, and she’s enjoying reading books. In the mornings, you’ll often find Clara playing downstairs with the younger boys, building towns and running cities. Maria, of course, loves being with Clara. We’re thankful for our sweet girl and looking forward to her year of fine and nine!