Ridenour Ranch: June 2019

So it dawned on me today that I never blogged for Cora's birthday. I'm only a month behind! I guess that's what you get when you're born at the very beginning of summer break! It has been a whirlwind around here. Something (or two or three or more) fun things are going on every day. Not to mention all the extra work that comes with summer (i.e. Gil is MIA with all of his farming activities, bottle calves, 200 broilers, mowing, 5 kids running around like maniacs and ALWAYS needing to eat, plus baseball and/or T-ball nearly every single day...)

Anywhoo, back to Cora Clare who is now an astonishing 8 years old. The weekend before her birthday we had a shared party with cousin Skyler. She invited the girls from her class and since Gil was MIA (refer above) my mom brought the boys to help out too. We skated and had cookie cake and had a unicorn theme, and even though there were some bumps in the road (that place is NOT well organized!) we had a great time! Then on her actual birthday we had a cake she and I made together (chocolate with chocolate frosting with pink sprinkles...her request and brain child that she DID NOT EVEN EAT ONE SINGLE PIECE OF!) with Papa Lindy who was the only one who could make it that day! But we had a fun day anyway.

For her birthday Gil and I got her a Chicken Farmer Barbie (how cool is that!?!), a throw back Precious Moments May Iris doll, the Little House on the Prairie first season DVDs, and a new outfit for her O.G. doll including a tiny guitar which she loves:)

Cora, you are an absolute delight. It is both bitter and sweet to see you growing up. You are my little girl and each year I see my little girl not being so little anymore. I think that's why I love buying you clothes and putting your hair in pig tails...so you will want to choose your own clothes (you already do actually) and won't like anything I pick out! You are such a happy-go-lucky girl. You love life, you love to read, you love Barbies, you love organizing your room (or anything else!), you love accessorizing and creating and drawing and writing and playing and ALL THE THINGS! Since I am so late in writing this, right as I type you are in Montana with Grandma and Grandpa Koester for Gretchen's wedding. I hope you are having fun with your girl cousins and getting a little break from the brothers! Grandma told me you are being an excellent travel companion as I knew you would be. I am excited for all you have done in your 7th year and looking forward to the 8th. This year you will start volleyball and basketball and 4-H. You will learn cursive and have Mr. Blohm for 3rd grade. And who knows what else!?!

We love you Cora Clare. We are so happy you are ours:)