The title has a double meaning. The first is that Fay starts planning her birthday when Portia starts planning hers (in February), and it is quite a trial for her to have to wait two whole months longer than Portia for it to actually arrive. The other meaning of the title is that Fay’s birthday actually happened two whole months ago–May 7–and I’m only just now getting around to posting about it. I’m grateful that Fay is a patient girl.

It’s been a long time that I’ve been wanting to throw a Harry Potter themed 11th birthday for somebody. But Fay was the absolutely ideal candidate–as she loves reading the Harry Potter books, dressing up as the characters, playing Harry Potter games, and writing down spells she learns from any Harry Potter source available–so her birthday was super fun! She got a snowy owl who delivered her acceptance letter from Hogwarts, complete with list of required school supplies. She got a sorting hat that FINALLY sorted her officially into Gryffindor! (Good thing we already had the right color robes.) And she made her own “Forbidden Forest” cake that had Aragog 😖 and spider webs. She was delighted with all the Harry Potter festivities and decorations, and her reactions to everything made the day everything I ever dreamed of! Thanks, Fay!

But, Fay loves so much more than just Harry Potter! One thing she started doing since she turned 10 is riding horses. I didn’t even know horse riding was a thing a child could request to do as her extra curricular activity when I was a kid. But starting in about April of 2022, that was the only thing Fay wanted to do. Thanks to an internet search, we found a place nearby that offers riding lessons to kids, and she has been riding ever since last July. She LOVES being with the horses and learning new tricks and techniques. I must confess, I think it’s pretty rad that she does it. Also, to answer the most frequently asked question I receive when discussing Fay’s riding: she rides western, not English.

Fay also just loves animals in general. It is still her fondest wish to become a wildlife rehabilitation veterinarian when she grows up. (Also way cool!) This picture is Fay with a white “red fox” from a wildlife rescue facility we visited in April, and that trip definitely deserves its own post; but with me, who knows if it will ever get it. Anyway, Fay was in absolute heaven while we were at the rescue place and loved that she got to go in and actually play with the foxes as well as visiting with many other kinds of animals.

Fay has also become quite the little musician. She practiced the piano so hard all through the school year, and this is her crushing it at her recital in May. Her teacher, Miss Rose (also pictured), was AMAZING and we are so sad (for us, not her) to lose her to grad school. But we know she’ll do great! Anyway, Fay thinks she might like to switch instruments for the coming school year. She has expressed particular interest in learning the violin. If you know a good, reasonably priced, teacher for a beginning violinist near Riverton, let me know! 😉

Fay also LOVES to read! As in, she’s probably read more books in her life, already, than I have in mine. Like Carter, she competed in the Battle of the Books competition at school. She had so much fun reading the books and getting ready for the competition. Her team took 4th place for the 5th and 6th grade division (just like Carter’s team took 4th place for the 3rd and 4th grade division). It was a blast to watch her compete! And we’re so proud of her!

Another thing I am absolutely overjoyed to report is that Fay loves her family!! as well as her friends. She is a big, cool 5th/6th grader; but she still begged me to come chaperone on her class field-trip. This picture is one I took of her group at the Natural History Museum. She even preferred to sit by me on the bus ride back to school than her best friend.😊 It basically made my mommy life!

Fay is also just a fun little hoot of a girl to hang out with! This picture is of what I found when Fay concernedly called out “Mom, I have a big rash on my arm.” She is prone to eczema, so I went to investigate. I laughed out loud when I saw her “RASH.” She makes fun little jokes like that all the time, and it is so fun!

I could probably go on for hours about how much we love having Fay in our family. But then this blog would never get posted and Fay would have to wait another month for me to get around to it again. So we’ll leave it here. Thanks again for your patience, Fay!