EIGHTEEN

 

Our little bug turned 8, and demanded on the day to be taken to get her ears pierced. She said it was the first birthday where she felt immediately older. 

2021 week eighteen

We got to have a special lunch together on her day. I picked up Chipotle for us and we ate in my classroom.

That night Grandma and Grandpa came over with very special gifts for V. 

Grandma brought her a very special quilt she had been making for her for a long time. V loves all the colors.

And Grandpa brought a desk that he made for V! She got extremely special presents that day that she will keep forever. 

On her birthday she wanted Buffalo Wild Wings and Ice cream so I didn't make a cake. Luckily Aunt Melissa came over the next day with a beautiful and delicious cake and rather dangerous "8" sparkler to extend the celebrations.

When was the last time you smiled with your entire body? My boy does everything to the limit. When he's happy his whole being is squealing with delight. (The opposite is also true, but let's focus on this face.)

I have no words for this. 

On Saturday, V had a "Bird"-themed birthday party. It was a good mix of old and new friends. And it was almost inspiring to see the way 8 year olds can just be instantly friends at a party.

We painted bird houses and made feather and jewel crowns. We had chick-fil-A for lunch.

I made coconut meringue "nests" with berries and cream. Rather less like a nest than intended but so delicious. Some kids were unsure about a dessert that wasn't a cupcake, but everyone enjoyed the berries and cream at least. 

Then everyone just chased chickens around our yard.

We set up the activities in the garage to limit mud and extend breathing room for everyone. It was a good thing too, because there was so much glitter. We were lucky though and never got a single drop of rain even though all signs were pointing that way.

Birthday brother.

V is lovingly holding the favorite gift from the party: a bag of breakfast sausage tubes. We enjoyed some for breakfast the next day with waffles that she cooked on her new waffle iron as well.

She's also learning how to roller blade. It's coming along slowly. 

Quotes:

Theodore

Vera came running screaming because Theo dropped a balloon in the toilet (that was NOT flushed) and then proceeded to chase her around the house with it. I'm repeating, "POOP GERMS ARE NO JOKE!"  but he's smiling at me so I try to yell it more sternly, but I'm just yelling "Poop germs are no joke!" and it's ridiculous, so I start laughing and then he laughs and says, "Ha Ha! Poop germs ARE a joke!" So no lesson was learned.

"Everything has a speed, except light. It's too fast. Isn't that funky?"

Me- "You are too jazzed up right now."

Theo- "Jazzed up. Jazzed up. Judy, Judy, jazzed up!"

Me- "Theo, no! Don't be impolite!"

Theo- "Why is that impolite?"

Me- "Because people like privacy when they use the bathroom."

Theo (offended)- "But I'm your son!"

Me- "I still don't want you in here."

Veronica

"Sausage? That's the best birthday present I could ever imagine."