My Tween

(I have to note... this is my 200th post. I'm surprised that even with my 'time off' last year I have posted that many times. I don't tend to stick with many things, so this is huge for me.)

Tween: In between

a girl ages about 10-13...too old for toys, but too young for boys.

Very easy to market to, will usually follow any fashion trend set for them, will most likely go through the phase of 'finding themselves' as they 'grow up'.

1. Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen's main fanbase are all tweens.

2. tween 1: LyK oMg, I aM jUsT gOiNg ThRu TeH hArDeSt TiMe Of My LyF...i RaN oUt Of EyEsHaDoW!!!!
tween 2: OMG!!!! DO YOU NEED ME TO COME OVER FOR SUPPORT?!?!?!?!?!

My sweet baby girl turned 10 yesterday. This has been both an awesome thing, and a sad thing for me.


First, I think that it's awesome to see what an amazing person Cori is. She is kind, generous, loving, smart as a whip, and really has a good grasp on who she is and what she expects from life.
But secondly, I fear that she is headed into uncharted territory. To those scary and painful years of wanting acceptance from people who don't matter, and having to stand up for what you believe in. Friends, boys, clothes, hair... needing everything to be 'right'.
I really believe that her and I have done a lot of growing up together. Being the first child, she is the one who has suffered through most of my early parenting trials. My 'trial and error' period. Learning how to care for someone who you love so amazingly deep. Wanting to protect her from everyone and everything, yet learning that she needs to make her own decisions and find her own path.


She made me a Mom, which seemed so odd at first. I was not the girl who wanted to grow up and bake cookies and make babies. I didn't prefer to play house, or play with dolls. I wanted trucks, I picked fights, I liked getting dirty, I skipped school, and broke every rule I could think of.
Now I cannot imagine my life without her. She is part of me, and part of my soul. From the first time I saw her, I knew that we had been great friends before this life. She accepted who I was, and loved me in spite of all my flaws... and I knew that I would love her unconditionally for the rest of my existence.
She came to me so perfect. I have tried not to 'screw her up' too badly, and she has taught me so much as she's grown.
I love her smile. When she turns her head to the side, and squints her eyes. The endearing sound she makes when she hugs me. The mornings she has to have a second kiss before leaving for school. The fact that she HAS to be kissed and hugged while she is in her bed. (You cannot kiss her goodnight and then send her to bed. You have to 'tuck her in'... still at this age.) Her gratitude and ability to thank me for anything and everything. Her silly faces, and her sneaky faces. Her willingness to always help... and how she likes to sing to herself, loudly... when she thinks nobody's listening.
I cannot believe that she's 10 years old... and yet she's an old soul. I always joke that she is my mother, telling me when I'm doing something I shouldn't. Asking me to "think about" my behavior at times. And not in a sassy way... from a very loving and genuine place.
She has a sensitive heart, and I'll have a really hard time with anyone who breaks it. (Not to mention Mike will kill anyone who hurts his girls!)


I could never express in words how much I love her, and admire her. But enough about all the feelings and cheesy stuff...



We had a combined Birthday Party for both Cori and Addi on Sunday night. (Addi's Birthday is Thursday) I asked the girls what type of theme they wanted. They both agreed on a Valentine's Birthday. It was tons of fun decorating everything pink and red. We had finger foods, and heart-shaped desserts instead of traditional cake. And raspberry sherbet with Sprite instead of ice cream. All the foods were pink, red, white. Most of the family came, and it was a blast!
Addi was, of course, such a drama queen! At one point she opened a card with money in it (from Mr. & Mrs. Sweetie) and her eyes got huge! As she lifted each bill out of the card she said "A FIVE dollar", "ANOTHER five dollar" and as she lifted a twenty dollar bill she got short of breath, gasped and said "a... a... What kind of dollar is this?!!" Knowing it was more than she'd ever had (and maybe seen) before. She was too funny!
Cori got a bike this year. Her one request was that it wasn't pink. But the only bike the right size, with the right brakes (hand and coaster) that didn't shift gears, was... yep, pink. She said she could handle it... "as long as I don't have to wear a pink helmet!" She's my tomboy, and I relate so well to the way she thinks!
It was a great party, with great people!
The next day, was Cori's actual Birthday. She was so thrilled that she had to go to school AND choir on her Birthday. So she got up early, got ready and was gone!
For dinner last night we had her favorites! A breakfast dinner, with german pancakes and sausage. Even a gallon of chocolate milk.
She got to open a couple gifts (clothes) last night from the family. She said she had a great day, and I'm glad.
Love her!