October 4, 2010. Double D Ranch, Harper, Texas. Sarah.

She loved the whole thing. Firstly, she was by herself with her Mother and Grandmother, something that happens infrequently being one of four children. Next she was shopping for her birthday gifts, so she knew that the whole time was devoted to only her wishes. And lastly, she loved eating lunch in the restaurant in the store. The whole time was a thrill for her.

Sarah is turning thirteen on the fifteenth of this month and when I asked her about her birthday gifts she requested shoes. She said that her "Sunday shoes were too small but I have to wear them anyway, so I would love you to buy me a pair of good shoes". I agreed so we made a plan to shop together on Saturday, in between all the games. It was tricky but we managed. Ken agreed to take the twins to Abigail's game, just in case we were late. It all worked out perfectly and Sarah was pleased.

Our system is to give inexpensive Christmas gifts to our grandchildren, but to give gifts of note for their birthdays. Never toys. Last year we gave Sarah a lovely antique walnut bed side table, originally designed as a candle table which she will be able to use all her life. Also we gave her a curio cabinet, something she did not even knew she needed but now rearranges the contents every month. I said that one pair of shoes does not constitute a proper birthday present, so asked her what else she might need while we were shopping? She conceded that she only had one pair of jeans and it was too short, so we decided to shop for jeans.

Now Sarah is a very nice young girl. She is beginning to act like a teenager a bit, as she takes a long time to take a shower and she locks the door so her sisters can not come into the room when she is dressing. Many of the seventh grade girls could pass for sixteen in their looks and dress, but not our Sarah. Buying clothes are difficult because she is tall and thin, but very much thirteen. She definitely does not want to look eighteen and sexy. We were successful with our purchases. Four pair of shoes, one Sunday dress, two pair of leggings and two pair of jeans and one top. We ran out of time when we got to tops. Sarah was thrilled with the whole event, and so was I, the Grandmother. Suzanne enjoyed it too. It is always a pleasure to be with just one of your children.