TERRI'S TRAVELS: Allie

How did this happen?

How did Allie go from this cute little 6 year old...

...to this beautiful 11 year old...

... in what seems like no time at all!?

She's not even my kid and I get a little nostalgic looking at these pictures, haha!

(I think it's worth noting that she got a pretty bad case of poison ivy from that bottom picture. Oh the price we pay for a good shot... ;) )

Allie turned 11 (E L E V E N) while I was in India. She's seriously growing up. And she's such a well-rounded, very smart, outgoing, athletic, fun loving, creative, sweet little soul. I'm so happy I get to be a small part of this girls life. :)

I was super bummed to miss her big Hawaiian luau party this year. I mean, why couldn't she just wait to throw her birthday bash until I was back from India!? Ugh.

It was her first girl AND BOY party, and she sent out LOTS of invitations. Cutest hand-made things you've ever seen (of course). I would expect nothing less from her.

I still can't believe she made these. Too cute!

The party was a success, from what I heard. I provided the music, per Allie's request. Since I didn't have time to make her a playlist before I went to India, I bought her the Now That's What I Call Music CD's -- the latest two versions. They had a lot of the top hits, which is what she wanted.

Apparently, the "top hits" that I thought were fine were completely inappropriate according to my brother. After a few songs, the cd's went off and the radio went on, haha. Which played the same songs that were on the cd's anyways! Ha - oh well. I tried...

Cutest little family ever. Check out that CAKE!!

Christa made this for pictures at the party. So awesome!

So since I didn't get to celebrate with her at her party, I still got her a couple small things. I know, I know. I don't usually get presents. I choose to spend time and do something fun with the kids instead. But this year there were things I just couldn't pass up. So she got a little something to open.

There was a Groupon for a ridiculous set of makeup - every thing and every color you could imagine - for super cheap. I had to get it. Allie does her makeup (when she's allowed to wear it) better than I do. I knew she would love it. (She did.)

A couple of months ago, I was at Barnes & Noble and got suckered in to buying a book from the author who was having a book signing. It actually sounded like something she would enjoy, and he wrote her a note to her on the inside. She loves to read, too, so I think it was an okay present.

The week of her birthday, I went to school to have lunch with her. It's something I've done the past couple of years (see 10 and 9 here), and she seemed semi-excited about it this year, too.

She goes to middle school next year, so this might be it for lunch visits. I think I'm getting less and less "cool" each year, haha. She used to be super excited to see me and run up and give me a big hug. But that's not cool when you're 11 and in 5th grade!

I brought her Subway, per her request, and we sat at the special visitor table. I think more than anything she was just happy she didn't have to eat the school food. Apparently it's gotten worse this year in an attempt to make it more healthy.

I did still get a "thanks for coming" and a one-armed side hug before she lined up with the rest of her class. Hey, I'll take it. :)