Cora's birthday has come and gone as well. We took off the day after school got out and the morning after Jude's first baseball game and headed down to Council Bluffs to see Grandma and Grandpa and the Herrick Family who is living with them for the time being. Minette has been able to take three years to work on a PhD from UNL and the MedCenter. Also, they are expecting a fourth child in September. So we are thrilled that they will be our neighbors for a while here (after England Omaha feels just down the street!). Then Cora's birthday came Saturday, the day of her first softball tournament. We woke up early and had breakfast birthday celebration before taking off for the day. She also got to kick the tournament off by playing Skyler's team for her very first game! We hung out with my side of the family for a while. Then in the afternoon John and Carolyn came up with Sarai. They watched the last two games and then left for home while Sarai got to stay with us! Cora's dreams came true with a two-night sleepover party with her cousin Sarai. Those girls had a fantastic time together and got along so well. They ate pizza, fed bottle calves, slept in a tent in the attic, watched Disney+, ran through the sprinkler, went to church, made an Panda angel food cake, helped at t-ball practice, played Barbies for hours, watched a Harry Potter movie, practiced on Cora's new roller blades, and so much more! Wow what a dream that that happened after two years of not seeing each other "in the flesh" as Cora would say!!!
Cora had a Panda birthday theme. I made her a special 10 year old poster for her door and hung streamers. She got roller blades and pads, a special book for her and I to write in, a cozy robe, and some new clothes. She also got a couple travel books from the Swindolls, money from grandparents, some stickers, scrunchies, and coloring pencils/book from Sarai (Herrick's).
THEN...last night my mom took her and Skyler to stay in our camper up at Wiegand for their birthdays. Gil had brought the camper up on Sunday so we would have a spot for Memorial Day weekend so it was just sitting there. They swam, shopped, played cards, and visited the aquarium. Sounds like they also had a very special time. Cora is so blessed to have those two girl cousins so close to her age. She may not have sisters, but she's got the cousins!!!
Cora, you are such a light in our lives. You are just bright and shiny and we love you so much. You love reading books on repeat, playing Barbies in your room, playing Subway Surfer and Animal Crossing, practicing cartwheels, playing in the grove (spiky woods!), taking care of the animals, taking care of and playing with your brothers, building Legos, swimming, and now playing basketball, volleyball, and softball (which you are doing great at!). I cannot believe you were born 10 whole years ago! But I'm so excited to see what the future holds. We love you Cora Clare!
