Happy Birthday KenKen!!

Kennedy turned 10 years old yesterday! I can't believe it. I have now had her in my life for about 7 years. Wow!! It really doesn't seem like that long ago. But, when I first met her, she could barley talk. She said a whole lot, but most of it was still babble, or language that only mommy understands. One of my favorite Kennedy stories was before she could really talk. She had already moved to Washington, and had come home to visit her daddy. But, Steve had to work, so he asked me to watch her. I was so nervous, because Steve and I were only dating and this was the first time that I would be alone with her. I thought entrusting his daughter to me was a very big deal and I really wanted her to like me. So, I planned a lot of things to keep her attention. At the time, we were getting ready for Jamie's bridal shower. So, Kennedy and I went to Kim's house to help with centerpieces. Kim had so many toys and funs things to do at her house. Kennedy was completely occupied and had a ton of fun there. When we were finished, Kennedy and I headed back to my apartment. She was in the backseat in her carseat. She had her hand out the window, but it was getting too loud. I told her to bring her hand in so that I could roll up the window. And she did. But, when I turned around, she put her hand back out and I did not know it. I rolled up the window and she started crying. I looked back and she was holding her poor, pinched little finger. I felt so bad! And, of course, I could not get back there to comfort her because I was driving. So, I just kept talking to her and telling her that we would call daddy as soon as we got back, we were almost there. She said ok and stopped crying. Then my cell phone rang. It was a number that I had never seen. So, I answered expecting it to be a wrong number. Nope! It wasn't. It was Kennedy's mom, whom I had never met, and who had no idea that I was going to be watching Kennedy. Needless to say, she was not thrilled with Steve and she wanted to talk to Kennedy. I reached back and gave the phone the Kennedy. She started crying again and babbled a little bit. Then clear as day she said, "JUDI DID IT!!!" Oh yeah! That was the only part of the conversation that I could understand. I laugh about it now, but I pretty much wanted to crawl into hole at the time. :O) Now, she is this tall beautiful girl, that doesn't stop talking. I am so lucky that she is in my life. Oh, and I think she ha forgiven me for rolling her finger up in the window!! ;o)

Kennedy's choice of birthday activity was to go to a place called Amazing Jakes. It's kind of like Chuck E Cheese on steroids. The place is huge and it has a tons of things to do. They had a lot of fun. Even Benny loved it there. He didn't make a peep the whole night. There was too much to look at. We started at the buffet and Kennedy fed Benny after she was done eating.

There are some fun little rides to go on. Here is Kennedy on the first ride she went on.

Daddy and Ben were watching Kennedy bounce on that thing.

Kennedy tried to go on the teacups next, but someone threw up on it, so they had to close it for 15 minutes. She decided not to wait. She and Caleb went on the bumper cars.

Next, we headed over to the indoor miniature golf course. This was pretty funny. It is all done in a beach theme. There is even sand in there. Pretty cool!

All was going well, until we rounded the corner to hole 15. Ummmm.......

someone left a little surprise for the golfers to come. Yeeeaaaahhh....there was an actual turd laying on the greens. Yuck!!!! It was so gross. Someone had gone to get a worker. I swear there is no way those kids get paid enough for what they do. They have to clean up strangers' puke and poop!!! I don't think I could do it. Anyway, we just went right on past hole 15 and kept playing. Not before Caleb could take a picture of the poop though. But, I will spare you that lovely sight. Check out these ones instead.

After golfing, the kids went on go karts. The pictures didn't come out. They were too dark. Then they went and played lazer tag. It was so funny when they came out. Kennedy came out yelling, "I won and I was the only girl in there." I guess all the boys, who were all older than her, kept saying, "I can't believe that little girl beat us." This did include Caleb, by the way. Kennedy ended up with 3100 points. The closest score to hers was only 1500. Most were between 500 and 800. She was very proud!!

Caleb went on to rock climbing. He made it all the way to the top. Kennedy didn't want to do this.

Still hanging out, happy as can be!

Then we headed home for birthday cake and bedtime.

Kennedy got new bedding for her birthday. She picked these out a long time ago. But, she didn't know that she was getting them. We put them on this morning and she loves it!

All in all, I think it was a big birthday success. We all had a really fun night. We love you Kennedy!!!