Birthday Locker Happiness.

The girls at Lily's middle school have a birthday tradition that is really great.
(middle school dudes have chosen not to be involved)

On their big day, the birthday girl arrives to school to find their locker decorated with happy birthday signs.  As the day continues, more fun signage is scotch taped up and so, by the end of the day, the birthday girl's locker is completely covered in happy birthday wishes.
(which she carefully removed and brought home at 3:15)

I can't think of a better way to celebrate a school day birthday than that.

oh wait, yes I can...

It would be more awesome if the school day birthday happened to fall on a FRIDAY!

And also if the school lunch happened to be PIZZA!

And so Lily welcomed her 12th year with a festive locker signs, lunchtime pizza and that end of the week Friday feelin' of birthday happiness.

At home she continued the celebration with a dear neighborhood buddy. 

 Her pal threw her arms in the air with glee when Lily opened her gift... a book (hardback!) that her gal pal read and loved and Lily had not yet read.

In the world of 12 year old girls who adore books, an unread good book is cause for hands in the air celebration.

(the well reviewed gift book; Lemony Snicket, Who Could that be at This Hour?)

Miss Lillian's birthday would not be complete without a photo-bombing.

Here is my nervous looking girl with her two rowdy/obnoxious  little sibs.
 

Happy Birthday dear Lily...as one of your school pals so truthfully wrote

"It's your 12th B-day! Last until teenager :-)"

Gulp. 

I am not yet ready for teenage Lily....good thing I have an entire year of 12 to prepare for 13.