Celebrating 8

Since Kate would not be home for her actual birthday, we celebrated last Saturday before she left for camp. When we realized Kate would be at camp on her birthday, she said, "I don't even need a party, Mama!"  And I was fine with that as we have had some great parties the last few years.  It was nice to take a year off and celebrate more simply this year.

Typically, on her birthday, we bring Kate a doughnut in bed. When I woke up on Saturday morning, I realized that I had not thought of that yet...so I ran out quickly and got her an apple fritter (her new favorite).  Everyone else (Dave and the boys) were still sleeping and I knew better than to wake them;) It is unwise to wake sleeping teens early on a Saturday morning.  Nothing good will come of it-- trust me.

I cut a few sad roses from our garden yard and put a little gift on the tray too.

As I sang Happy Birthday to Kate, she started dancing around in her bed.  She's such a happy little girl.

Thinking of a wish.

I gave her a bow with the camp name on it for her take to camp.  I actually got her two and a headband because all the bigger girls wear them at camp.  BUT I  have not seen any in her hair this week...so maybe I wasted my $!

After breakfast, we finished packing Kate's trunk and taped photos of friends and family inside (we added a few more after this photo too)....



Then Kate's best friend (and our next door neighbor), "S" came over spent the day with us.




The girls played Lego friends and American Girl dolls.  Also, on their birthdays, my kids get to choose dinner (either something I cook or a restaurant).  Since we had been invited to some friends house for dinner, we let Kate choose a place to go for lunch.  She surprised us by choosing buffalo wings.  Harry LOVES wings and I am guessing that is rubbing off on his little sister.  I did not bring my camera to lunch but everyone had fun.

After lunch we had a few presents for Kate.  She wanted knitting lessons for her birthday so I am working hard to try to find someone to teach her how to knit. That is not easy.




Kate's friend gave her Legos.  It's blurry but that picture is so very Kate.  She's a goof ball.




About a week or two ago, we were in Claire's getting something for one of Kate's friends and she spotted this Panda Journal.  Kate LOVES journals.  She has several.  She hinted heavily how much she'd like that journal for her birthday so Harry gave to to her.

You can see how much she loved it!  She even took it to camp.  Can't wait to see what she wrote:)

Kate loves to read.  Her teacher introduced her to Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books recently and I was thrilled because I remember reading them as a child too.  They're old school (published in the 40's-60's!). So I found a "treasury" of them in one book for her.

She was thrilled.  I love that our kids love books.

Will went to lunch with us to celebrate Kate but then he had tickets to a big outdoor music festival with his friends so he missed the presents and cake.

And speaking of cake, Kate wanted an ice cream cake this year.

And the AG girls had to have cake too;)

  (Harry had a bad headache that turned into a migraine.  He stayed up late at a sleepover the night before and that always triggers one.)

Kate partly picked this cake because it had a cute little cone on top that she really wanted....

Also, the night before we brought cupcakes to the gym after Kate's gymnastics practice.  She spends so much time with her teammates and they all do this to celebrate each other's birthdays.  I only had my phone for a picture.

Happy birthday sweet girl.  I cannot believe you are 8.  The time has flown by!

And if you can believe it, Will is going to be 17 in a few weeks!!!

I know that all the posts are about Kate lately.  With 2 teenage boys, I am sensitive to their privacy (and moods).

Kate is 8!

My dearest Katie Ru,

Today is your 8th birthday and you are spending it at camp! I am really proud of you for being brave enough to go away to camp all alone!!!!  You begged us to be able to be there for your birthday because your brothers told you how AWESOME it was when they have seen people celebrate a birthday at camp.

You have brought so much laughter and joy to our family.  You have made each and every one of us a better person just by being you.

This year was a great year for you.  You excelled so much in first grade.  You had straight A's all year long!  And I am sure that was not easy since you were very busy.  You continued with another year of ballet and violin.  But your true love this year has been competitive gymnastics.  You are constantly tumbling around.  You have such focus and you never complain about going to your 4 hour long practices!


You love ice cream and frozen yogurt.  You loathe vegetables but you will eat them (because we make you).  You take SO long to eat that it has become a family joke.  You love lego friends, your American Girl dolls, TV, and playing with your best friend who lives next door.  You also love to do arts and crafts and create things.  You have a very artistic and creative mind.


You sing every night in the shower.  Actually, you sing and dance and tumble all the time.  You have a great sense of humor and deliver perfect one liners.  You also still say the cutest and funniest things sometimes (google it up, Mama!).

You LOVE to read and your favorites this year have been Alvin Ho, The Toys Go Out series, Ramona and Beezus and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle.  Oh and you find the Mo Willem books hilarious too. We are so proud of how far your reading has come!  It is miraculous.

Even though you had lots of great accomplishments this year, I am most proud of your generous and tender heart.  You truly are filled with God's love.  You look for the best in others and even have trouble believing when others aren't being kind.

Your confidence has also grown tremendously this year.

I feel SO incredibly blessed to love you here on earth.  I am the luckiest Mama in the world to have you as a daughter.

You and Daddy have such a sweet relationship.  You are silly and goofy together...

You do things like bake and garden together...

You have such a strong relationship with your brothers.

You have softened both of them in such fabulous ways.  And although you are close to both of them, Will is more like a teacher and protector/big brother and Harry is more like your best friend.  He plays with you and teaches you everything.  I cannot imagine a sister and brother being closer.  You are such a good sport and keep up with the boys fishing and playing basketball! I hope you are always this close to them...

You are such a sweet friend to all those around you...

And our relationship is so special.  I cannot even put it into words.  You are just a part of me.  I love our special times cooking (banana pancakes), reading and "snuggle-cuddling," watching our favorite shows (The Little Couple, Say yes to the Dress, Sophia the 1st and our old favorite Little Miss Spider). You are just such a joy to be around.  You think everyday is "The BEST day ever!"  I love how everyday when I pick you up from school, you put your arm around my waist and we walk out of school arm in arm.

We all love you so much Kate.  Thank you for all of the love and joy you bring to us every single day.  I know 8 will be great because you have so much gratitude and such a positive outlook that you make every day fabulous!

Love,
Mama


{Tomorrow I will post how we celebrated Kate's birthday the day before she left for camp}