Marri's Marvelous Birthday Moments

Miss Marri on the marvelous occasion of her 12th Birthday

Marri's 12th birthday:

First of all, I just love when the siblings get excited about giving gifts to the birthday person and they all prepped in the days ahead of it. Sophie used her money to buy a gift, Cecily made a rice pack, and Scott and Jetta gave Marri some Monster's Inc stickers that they got from the doctor, which she put her purse from Ashley. So fun. 

Wednesday morning, we awoke Marri in Warburton fashion with presents (a bag of clothes, a straightner, and Cecily's gift of a few small toys and a rice bag) and the singing of the song.

After which Marri had her requested breakfast of sausage and panackes.

Marri was delighted to find that the YW had decorated our door with this sweetness. If you can't see it, it reads: Dear Marjon, We're so
excited you're going to "pop" into Young Women's! As you get to know
us, you might think we're [blank] & [blank] but we hope you'll have
fun. :) You're a real [blank], but as sweet as [blank] caramel apples,
at the same time. You'll definitely [blank] "shake" [blank] up the
Beehive Class! [blank] for us on Sunday, we'll be there to help you
along the way! love/The Beehive Class.

This was followed by the obligatory birthday photo shoot, and then Marri headed off to school with caramel apple suckers that I guess were most appreciated.

After school, Sophie gave Marri her shark plush that came via UPS. And while we waited for Rob (well the kids didn't know we were waiting for him,) I finagled a playdate with Savanna for a few hours. They had fun. Once Rob walked in, we pulled out the cake and presents and began celebrating Jensen style by singing and giving of the candy bar card, which read: "Dear Marri, ARen't you glad you're now "8" + 4? You
are the very "best" among my best kids. I hope you don't
"inadvertently become" too awesome for us. Love DMSCSJ"

Rob had a bit of fun with it, finding tiny words on the candy in which to use. Then for gifts this year, Marri instead got privelages. 

With a piece of fruit she got the note:

Privilege: Snacking when you want without asking

Responsibility: Making sure you eat healthy and maintain a healthy weight, make sure you eat all your meals, and ask if you think it’s something you should not have.

Consequences: Grounded for awhile from snacking

Exceptions: Sickness, other physical ailments, if we are doing something special or going somewhere special and need you to not touch the food. Fasting.

With a book of Greek Mythology she got this note:

Privilege: Staying up as late as you want reading

Responsibility: Making sure you are up and alert each morning and not ornery during the day.

Consequences: Grounded for awhile to go to bed when parents say.

Exceptions: Sickness, other physical ailments, if we are doing something special and need you well rested.

And with $5 (and the kids got other amounts) she got this note:

Privilege: Allowance: 3 dollars each week, 2 dollars for Sophie, 1 dollar for Cecily and 50 cents for Scott.

Responsibility: Keep helping around the house when asked, doing your normal chores, extra chores when needed without grumbling.

Consequences: Grounded from allowance if not doing your work. If you are gone for a lot of the week

Exceptions: Sometimes you can earn more money through big chores. 

She was quite excited about it all  And so is Rob, who has wanted to get the kids started with allowances and understanding money for like a year. Finally, I gave in.

And then, I gave her the cute NY purse from Ashley and the last gift: a hotel stay with mom with fun, crazy, pampering, spiritual activities that started right now!

Mom and Daughter 12th Birthday Getaway:

We took a few beginning photos and then were off! I decided to begin with a nature hike, since it was a beautiful day. As we got out in the parking lot, Marri noticed a chair down the hill and decided to go sit in it. So without me telling her that we had to find something crazy to do during our adventure, she decided to get that done in the first few minutes. It was hilarious as she made her way down the hill and sat in the chair, and then did it again when I noticed the photos didn't work. Later I asked her what her favorite part of the getaway was and she said everything, but really finding and sitting in that crazy chair on the side of the mountain.

Then over on our hike, where talked about all sorts of things.

I decided to go to the hotel next and get settled while we decided to figure out what we wanted to do next (I had plans, but the order didn't really matter). The hotel clerk gave Marri a little birthday pack (nicely) and we dropped off our stuff and then visited the koi pond in the back of the hotel. We decided then head to the mall, where I let Marri choose a movie. She chose Oz: The Great and Powerful. It was pretty good, but the really cool part was the candy dispenser in the front where you could pick your own candy. 

Then after a long talk about permanent changes to you body and not doing things because other people want you to, Marri got her ears pierced. She did great, jumping a bit at each poke, but afterwards was just delighted with her new earrings and look. Sara was also excited, going right over to the mall and picking out Marri's gift, which she gave her over the weekend. A plethora of earring and a cute jewelry box to hold them all in.

 

 Over then to eat at Pops Burgers and Malts (where Marri ended up getting her playdoh ice cream as an appetizer) we had a lovely dinner complete with lime rickeys.  We had about a half hour until the DI closed, so made the most of it and found some darling clothes and boots, and books (a whole bunch of Foxtrot comics) and presents for other kids. Then to Walmart for a few more things including a cheetah blanket while Marri talked to Ashley the entire time. It was a lot of fun.

Back to the hotel for some soaking and chatting in the hot tub.

Before finishing the evening in our hotel room trying on the new clothes, eating milk and chocolate and going to bed, exhausted.

The next morning we fed the koi one more time and then I took her to a diner for a good breakfast. 

Then I dropped her off to school an hour and a half late for pi "pie" day. All in all a wonderful tradition that we both loved. Can't wait to do it with Sophie!



Grandma traditions:
Tuesday night Grandma Warburton came to get Marri for her birthday tradition of taking the birthday person out to eat and to pick our their present. Marri was so excited because it meant that she had something to look forward to before her birthday. They enjoyed eating at Subway, shopping for shoes, socks, and little animals and came home with cookies to share.

 

And Grandma Jensen takes the kids to the temple to do baptisms for the dead when they turn twelve and invites all who want to come. And so Saturday night, off they went with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Mike, Uncle Chris and Sierra and Noelle and Rob and Marri. Marri said she really enjoyed it even though the underwear did ride up a bit.

Special "Young Women" dinner with women in her family: 

Finally a few weeks back, I sent out the following:

 

And received some beautiful in-person and virtual replies. In person were Mom, Eleanor, Colleen, Sierra, Noelle, Tesha, Ellen, Brittney and Sara. Virtually I got notes and videos from Ashley, Jessica, Kimberly and Sue. I had high hopes for a night where Marri would feel loved and nourished by the women in the life and I wasn't disappointed. The dinner,of crockpot turkey steaks, rice, sunrise muffins, spinach and apple salad, sushi made by sara, crackers and dip, creamed corn and pumpkin rolls turned out delicious. 

 

But the conversation won the award for best. One of these days, I'll post the video of all of talking that Sara took and edited, but until then, know that the following subjects were covered: first periods, staying safe, Heavenly Mother, being yourself, finding yourself, the joys and pains of motherhood, the happiness of having children, the power of Young Womens, the faith of friends, the spirit-body connecion, being an example, and much more. We laughed and some cried. The evening concluded with the men joining us: Rob, Seth, Jake, Dad and the kids (I love the photo of Cecily and Mallory in the same dress, I guess after the baptism, Mallory used her Easter dress money to get the same dress). My most favorite moment was when mom gave me and Marri a photo framed with photos of both of us, in similar poses as a baby and then as a child. I love it so much.  

Overall a wonderful, beautiful evening!