They don't get cheaper by the dozen.

 
It's Ladycakes' 12th birthday.  A dozen years since she was born.  It seems like yesterday.  It seems like a lifetime ago.  12 year olds are hilarious and scary.  They are still little kids but there is a glimpse of maturity.  It's a sliver of a glimpse but it's there.

For her birthday, the two of us went and had a pedicure.  I used to tell people I was a foot model.  Seriously, I would say that my feet were the feet they saw in Dr. Scholl's ads and they believed me.  We loved getting our piggies painted together.  I can't believe she's mine.

Ladycakes, you are amazing.

Ladycakes is one of the kindest young ladies I know.  She's careful with her thoughts, her words and her actions.

Ladycakes is driven.  Since the moment she was born she has been driven to be the absolute best she can be.  It may take a lot of effort but she never quits, she slowly and diligently conquers anything.

Ladycakes is creative.   She sees colors like no other and wants to create.  She needs to create.  She can draw and I am so jealous.

Ladycakes is quiet and reserved.  She is not the one who needs to be the center of attention.  She has incredible self-control when it comes to her personality.  Again, I am jealous.

Ladycakes adores her father.  In love with this man who loves her with all of his heart.  She only wants to make him proud.  If she only knew that her mere existence makes him the proudest man alive.

Ladycakes is silly.  Crack herself up and can't stop laughing silly.  And, it's infectious.  It gets us all going.  I totally get that part of her.

Ladycakes is a pig.  P.I.G. pig.  Here room is a sty.  She refuses to close her dresser drawers.  But then, she gets this bee in her bonnet and she cleans that room like an HGTV pro.  Organizes, decorates and makes it all pretty again.

Ladycakes looks like me more and more everyday.  It trips me out.  She has my mouth, she has my eyes, she has my chin (and you know how I feel about my chin)  and she's beautiful.  And that makes me say, "Wait, that means you think you are beautiful."  And then I look in the mirror and I smile, because it means I AM beautiful.

Ladycakes is saving her money to build a house.  Not for a pair of jeans, not for the latest cell phone.  Ladycakes wants to build a house.  One that she designs.  One that she will live in.  Guess what, it will be a beautiful house and it better have an apartment for me when I come to visit.

Ladycakes has the utmost respect of her brothers.  They look up to her.  They look to her for guidance, for ideas, for love.  She gives them all of that.  They will love her forever and they will protect her like brothers do.

Ladycakes is the best first child for which two parents could ask.  She led us to believe this adventure would be easy.  That all babies were sweet and smart.  That all toddlers were funny and cute.  That all kindergarteners were curious and nervous.  That all young ladies were polite and thoughtful.  No doubt she will lead us to believe that all teenagers are responsible and courteous.  And that sometimes they make mistakes but they will learn from them

Mr. Handsome and I are so proud of Ladycakes.  How did we get so lucky?

Happy Birthday, young lady.
We love you.