Great to be Eight

February 11th was Ava's 8th birthday. She awoke that morning to our family tradition: breakfast in bed. Daddy made a trip to the donut shop so she could have her favorite breakfast treat: blueberry cake donuts. She opened presents and read birthday cards and shared donuts with her siblings, especially her little sister who couldn't allow Ava to eat without her.

One thing I love about Ava is that no matter how shy she is with grown-ups, when it comes to kids she makes friends wherever she goes. She's always getting notes from school friends signed, "Your BFF", and she has a large group at school that she plays with. So I was surprised when instead of a big friend-fest for her birthday she chose a small party with her two best girls that she goes to church and school with. She and Kea and Mackenzie (and Brenna and Nate) had a wonderful time. Daddy and Gwen stayed at home because Gwen, though we love her dearly, is tough at the movies and would have complicated the party significantly.

First, we picked up the girls at their houses and headed to the movie theater. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" was the movie of choice. We got the kids' "movie meal", which we have never done before, so it really felt like a special occasion! Afterward we headed out for frozen yogurt.

Ava opened presents from her friends and then we came back to our house to play for a little while.

That night we went to Marie Callender's for dinner and everyone enjoyed a slice of pie for dessert.

The next day was Sunday and we had cake and ice cream after dinner. It gave us the chance to sing "Happy Birthday" to Ava one more time.

I love this next picture because the mischievous, silly look on her face is SO Ava.

Happy 8th birthday to our sweet girl! Here are a few things about Ava:

1.She is still the party queen. Nate and Ava look forward to her coming home from school every day because they love to play with her.

2. She is now reading at almost a 6th grade level and is beginning to find books that she really enjoys reading. She just finished the 2nd Harry Potter book and is beginning the 3rd. She also loves mysteries.

3. She's about to start her first basketball season and is very excited.

4. She loves to talk but is still so hard to understand sometimes! She speaks fast and quiet, almost as if she's afraid you'll actually hear her.

5. She has outgrown Barbies and princesses but still enjoys girly things. The store Justice was made for her. It's full of bedazzled, glittery things.

6. She is a night owl like me. Both she and Brenna are showered and in their room every night by around 8 o'clock but Ava tends to stay up and piddle around (even though she's supposed to be in her bed reading or asleep) until 9 or 10 o'clock. She plays quietly with her toys, draws, reads, and who knows what else until she passes out. I'm the same way!

7. She is starting to lose her temper with her family more often. It seems to be related to age, since Brenna started doing this right around 8 too. Most of the time she's great, but when she lashes out it's ferocious!

8. She loves to craft, paint, draw, cook and bake. She also likes playing the piano, gymnastics, and dancing.

9. She is still snuggly and is always wanting a hug or kiss

10. Ava loves to go out to eat and spend a Saturday afternoon with mom, shopping and getting her nails painted. She is the best kind of company and Saturdays with Ava are some of my favorites too.