Ok, now she is really 11.

Only after the much awaited "friends" party can one truly say they are 11. Or so Charlotte would have you believe. After a nearly 3 week delay, the party of the year took place. No easy feat organizing a birthday party for 11 year old girls. Too young for princesses and too old for well, lots of stuff. The middle ground that was found included a just warm enough pool, a big bouncy castle that was touted as "for a more mature group" and a makeup artist. Guess what was the biggest hit, Marcus the wonderfully patient and ever so talented make up artist. All the girls went away with tastefully done faces and a better appreciation for what goes into getting "made up." The background atmosphere that pulled it all together included an ipod full of tween music, helium balloons (I have a great source here in Zim), pizza, all the soda you can drink and a birthday cake that included personal cupcakes. I am a good mom.