10!

There are countless moments when our parenting falls short of award-winning, but today, today I think we might be the best parents in the entire universe. Seriously. Because Chad and I both played hooky from work and other responsibilities (bad teacher=good parent), to do this:
And here is the happy double-digits girl, arriving home to the big surprise. The paint wasn't even dry, but oh well...the overall effect was there.

Instead of our traditional birthday dinner out, we picked up some fast food (a rare treat around here), and dined at home. School night, after all....homework doesn't take a holiday on birthdays....
A hastily-prepared angel food cake was for dessert - ya, I was a bit too busy painting to make anything remotely elaborate.
(And check out the birthday crown that Trevi made for his big sister. Awww.)
(Notice Clara's mattress in the hallway....I wasn't kidding when I said the paint was still wet.)
Our beautiful girl is ten. She's a tween. Heaven help us. :)