Spa Night on a budget

we wanted it to be low key,

just a couple friends.

to honor the big nine-year-old

we threw a special birthday party Spa Night with girlfriends!

it was a late night affair with very little preparation.

that morning the girl and i set off to the Dollar Tree for all things beauty related.

we bought terry cloth slippers and zebra print eye masks.

manicure sets, bath salts, and foot lotions.

we got facial masks and flavored lip balm.

i prepped cucumber slices and Shirley temples. 

im pretty sure my girl thought it was a best birthday of her life.

because baking is her thing and because she wanted cakepops on the menu

each of the girls got to get their hands dirty

mixing the dough, forming the balls, and dipping the pops

they were seriously the best and easiest cake pops ever (will have to post the recipe).

when the girls came from the heated pool to the designated “Spa Room” squeals of delight rang through the house. we wanted to give them their very own space, so we confined them to our upstairs movie room. with Descendants 2 entertaining them, mama got them beautified.

so i have a total girly girl at heart. what could be sweeter! it filled my spirit to see her so happy in her element. the other plus, this party cost me less than $35.00. Shhhhhh.....

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dearest Rachel,

you turned nine last week. NINE.

i loved nine. for girls it’s the edge of something new. something exciting! 

you have grown so much since my last letter.

it’s been 4 years of rough birthdays, of being in one home or the other.

i can’t imagine that is easy.

but you have always been such a strong little girl.

fiercely independent. its scares me sometimes.

i hope you know being your mama brings me so much joy.
you are full of it.
joy that is.

you love people. your friends mostly.

and you have finally learned what it means to be a good friend.

though you have had to learn the hard way.

you are a social creature who jabbers on and on, literally non-stop.

your belly laugh can turn any gloomy day sunny again.

slime, baking, drawing, bike riding, your dollhouse, and sugar are some of your obsessions.

your passions and the effort you put into them amazes me.

working with your hands and creating is your ultimate forte.

i so cherish the memories of you as a baby/toddler. it feels like only moments ago i was holding you close in my arms and rocking you to sleep. there were definitely some unforgettable toddler tales… i have told many a story on my blog before. and we go back and read them together on occasion. oh how i love going back to giggle and poke fun.

these past years you have learned so much about discipline. about expectations and consequence. you have learned tough lessons in the truth department. namely, the importance of being honest in every situation. the importance of choosing to follow God over friends opinions. im so proud & thankful for this new found maturity.

my highest hopes are for you to follow Jesus with no inhibitions all the days of your life. for Him to grip at your heart, that you might be sensitive to his voice, his stirring. right now you are learning that. i pray i am able to give you enough of whatever you need to flourish in his love. oh how i need grace for that. childhood is a journey of discovery, on the road to autonomy. choices. freedom.

you need wisdom.

i only pray we teach you well.

happy birthday, my love. nine is one of my favorites. i hope it will be one of yours too.

love, Mama 
xoxox