As Isabella Turns 9

Isabella celebrated her ninth birthday in between sports practices and music lessons.  She had a great birthday and even scored a free huge piece of cheesecake from Longhorn because of Brandon's connections.  It was a fun day for her and the day I caved as a mom.  All she wanted for her birthday was an ipod shuffle-something that I have repeatedly said I am opposed to giving your children because you will spoil them rotten and they will be ruined for life, never knowing the value of hard work.  I went to the store with the best of intentions and looked at all the other, less expensive mp3 players that serve exactly the same purpose and left the store with a purple ipod shuffle.  Ironically, less than a week after my caving in, the price of the ipod shuffle has decreased by $30.  I think it's my form of "caving" tax!  Micaela also scored a hand-me-down ipod the same day.  She quickly lost access to hers after it went to school on the bus with her the very next morning.  When she came home from school and pulled it out of her pocket she simply asked "how long do I get it taken away?"  That prompted what can only be described as WW3 at our house and we are the proud parents of our first "I hate you" letter from our preteen who we thought was pretty close to perfect!  We must be doing something right!