Happy Birthday to Cassie

Today my youngest child became a teenager! She started her day with heart-shaped pancakes with a single candle to blow out on top. She also got a warm winter hat she has been asking for. Happy Birthday Cassie!

1. When Cassie was around three years old she loved Angelina Ballerina. I bought her a pink ballerina outfit just like Angelina had. She would dance to many songs but a song by Rascal Flatts called "I'm Movin' On" was my favorite. Cassie's expressions and movement during her dancing could bring us to tears.

2. When Cassie was young she had to have her shoes fit just right. It began to be a real problem as it would take her so much time to get them to feel good on her feet. Jon went to a mall vitamin store and bought her some chocolate calcium chews and told her that a doctor had said that it would make all her shoes feel better on her feet. That was the end of the uncomfortable shoe days!

3. Cassie was a very shy child and would cling to me if anyone ever spoke a word to her. When I began homeschooling her in first grade she began talking to people. Lots of people.

4. Cassie is very creative. She makes a gift for every family member for Christmas. It is usually a knitted scarf that is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

5. Cassie cares so much for every member of her family. She makes sure that on everyone's birthday there is a handwritten sign over our kitchen table with streamers hanging all around.

6. When big sister Rachel graduated from BYU, Cassie had earned enough money to buy a very impressive and practical gift to give to her.

7. Cassie is the dog trainer in the house and the dogs love her so much. When Cassie gets off the bus at the end of the day she can call to Layci and she will take off running to meet up with Cassie.

8. Cassie loves to take care of young children and is a good friend to kids that are just younger than she is.

9. Cassie loves to cook and has a specialty of dijon green beans with almonds. YUM!