Happy Birthday, Brenin!

Brenin celebrated her 6th birthday yesterday! Brenin, Luca and I went to our traditional "Brenin's birthday breakfast" at the bakery on the Square and then went horseback riding! Luca rode with me and never had an instant of hesitation that she should be up on that big horse riding down a canyon. I have no doubts this child will be bungee jumping one day...she is a brave little cookie! Brenin always amazes me on horses - She is just a natural rider. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face the entire ride.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENIN!

Brenin & Samson

We then headed to Madison for a fun day at the Henry Vilas Zoo and park with Tucker, Garret, Christina, David, Johnny, Bryce & Jaiden (and their mommies too, of course!). The weather was PERFECT!

6 years old and sitting on top of the world!

When we got home, we had a campfire and steaks

on the grill for the perfect end to a wonderful day.

Today we're having family over for some more celebrating.

The last year has been full of growth and change for Brenin, and I'm reminded that I have not one, but two little girls whose lives as they knew them were changed in a very big and very real way this year. We're slowly but surely fumbling our way through the transition and change and all the issues related to that, and in the meanwhile I'll do what mothers do: Hold them tighter, rock them longer, whisper more "there there's," spend more time in their eyes, sing another lullaby when they ask for "one more," offer more patience (Heaven help me!), extend more grace and constantly search for new ways to tell them how much love I have for each of them.