Somehow, although it seems impossible, my baby is 8 years old! She had a great day—it helps to have your birthday on a holiday so there's no school for the kids and no work for the grown-ups!
Steph, Pete, Andy, and I decorated the kitchen last night after Julie went to bed, so she came down this morning to find lots of cards and signs and little gifts waiting for her. Pete even made her a beaded bracelet. Then she got her real presents, one of which was earrings—which means that yes, we have decided to let her get her ears pierced! She understands that she has to wait until soccer season is over (no jewelry allowed, and it's not a good idea to leave earrings out of your ears for even a few hours at a time during those first few weeks), but she is positively over the moon. She has been asking for a while, and we decided that she is responsible enough now.
She chose to have lunch at Minado, where "all you can eat" becomes "way more than you should ever eat in one sitting." I'm still so stuffed I'm going to forgo dinner. Later she and Andy made cupcakes (while Steph and I paid a visit to the Invitation Lady and found that we have nearly irreconcilable differences on what constitutes an appropriate, attractive typeface for Bat Mitzvah invitations), which then got decorated and wished upon:
Ah... Happy Birthday to your youngest, Mom! My mother's youngest is 40. I'm just sayin'. Enjoy!
Posted by: Steve | October 12, 2009 at 08:05 PM
She looks so grown up! Happy birthday!
Posted by: Elena | October 12, 2009 at 08:15 PM
I wish you'd elaborate on the Great Typeface Controversy. It sounds positively riveting.
Posted by: Wendy | October 12, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Great photo--and my girls had to wait until they were 10, just because I made the older one and then she watched carefully to make sure Younger Sister didn't get any special privileges. I want to hear about the Great Typeface controversy too; who knew that drama could ensue over THAT? My baby is 19 and in college. Time does fly.
Posted by: Margaret | October 12, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Just tell Steph that in your day, kids didn't get to pick anything about the bat mitzvah. Because they were too busy walking to and from school in six feet of snow uphill both ways. :-)
Posted by: Kerri | October 13, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Happy Birthday Julie! My oldest just turned 8 on Oct. 3. I think the number 8 definitely says no longer a baby. :(
Posted by: Sharon | October 13, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Wow, that sounds like a perfect day of turning 8!
Posted by: Sandy | October 13, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Happy birthday, Julie! What a beautiful young lady!!
Posted by: judy | October 16, 2009 at 09:23 PM