A decade, one-tenth of a century, ten years of joy

Sarah is 10. But she's not really as short as she looks in that picture with her friend Charlotte. She is, actually, that happy.

We spent her birthday afternoon doing Sarah's favorite things: splashing in the water, playing in the sun, and eating yummy food in the shade. The truly short ones shared an inner tube. That's Laura, friend Emme and Grace floating (sort of) in the blue water of contentment.

And from left to right: the goofing-off oldest sister Madeleine, friends Nicole and Zoe, the birthday girl herself, and Charlotte in the goggles. Doing their synchronized sunbathing impersonations?

Madeleine, Sarah, Laura (who used the life vest for an impromptu nap pillow) playing in the shade while Salvador slept in his basket. The day could not have been more perfect. We enjoyed the company of friends and the last day of Grandma and Nana's visit, and then we threw the paper plates in the trash and came home a little sun pink but a lot relaxed.

It was a good day. It's been a great decade.

And my water baby is prepared for many, many more days at the lake.

Happy Birthday, Sarah!