Emma’s 8th birthday

So, I was going to label this post as July 2014 and indicate it was the second half.  But then I realized the “second half” was basically all about Emma anyway.

Emma turned 8.  Wow.  She is growing and maturing so quickly!

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As always, Abby also wanted in the picture. Emma was more than willing to accommodate, taking her under her arm. :)

She was so excited to turn 8!  These were taken the Sunday prior – she’d chosen this outfit because it reminded her of baptism.  :)

 

The 8th birthday is a “big party” birthday in our family.  We don’t do big parties every year – we’ll allow a couple of friends, but not a lot, but the 8th (and 12th and 16th) can be bigger parties.

Only Emma didn’t want a big party.  She did request a playdate with one friend who lives farther away, but that would have to wait until later in the month.  So for her actual birthday, she wanted a quiet family party.

She chose one of her favorite outfits and wanted pictures with me.

IMG_2500I obviously am not very good at selfies.  She looks cute though.  :)

IMG_2508Bryan stepped in to help out.

IMG_1329Much better.  :)    IMG_1323

Then she helped me make her cake.  A simple vanilla cake, what she wanted.  :)  And she arranged the candles.

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A heart. :)

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And for the cake “ceremony”:

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Singing

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Note Abby’s face as Emma takes a breath.  I didn’t at the time…

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Yep, Abby’s ready to help.

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This was about the point where I realized what Abby was doing.

We had to remind Abby that it was *Emma’s* birthday, not hers.  :)

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Yep, Abby loved that.

Emma even handled the candle interference with a gentle patience.

I don’t know that I’ve seen a child have such a sweet, peaceful birthday.  She really carried about a light with her that day.  Such a beautiful girl, inside and out!

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Zoo day

And the most anticipated part of her birthday – the play date with her friend a week later.  :)  We got the two families together at the zoo.  It was nice to get some time with *my* friend as the children got some time with theirs.  :)

I didn’t get many pictures.  We were too busy talking and making sure all 9 children stuck together.  :)  But I got a few at the end.First, the quintessential crazy pictures:

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And then the two nicer ones:

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Emma and Kathryn trying to feed the well-fed birds. :)  The sticks had some seeds on the end of them.

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All lined up, admiring the African animals. Well, except for Emma.  I think she was attending to Aaron here.  :)

It was a bit of a long day for a few of the children, but so fun to catch up with our friends again!  :)

One Response to “Emma’s 8th birthday”

  1. Such a nice sister! Happy late birthday, Emma.

    Love, Gramma

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