There goes my girl

Summer turned 8 years old. Wow.

She had to get a new bike. Her old one just looked silly, all knees and elbows. Hope this one last a few years.

And look how grown up she looks. Holy moley.

Ah, and the highly anticipated cake.

I managed a dragon after all...

Ignore the foil. I get a bit of tunnel vision when creating and forget some details...

Pretty cute, huh? It took me almost all day. And it was only for our little family of five. But it made Summer so so happy. She saw that morning that I had baked two 8 inch round cakes and could not figure out how that turned into this.

It wasn't easy.

But not that hard either.




Her very special gift from Daddy.

Its so neat to get gifts that are also a promise of time spent together. She is so excited to "escape" with Jason.

I admit to a bit of jealously.

And a couple things from her brother and sister.

The 1st real legos I have allowed in the house. I am almost certain that Grady wont eat them.




The day went as follows:

School where she brought Pretzel Hugs for the class. and the Spanish after school and we sent fruit roll ups as a special treat. Right home after class to open gifts and then out for dinner at Texas Road House with Grandma Cindy and Papa Rocky.


Where Summer sat on the saddle while everyone hollered for her.

She LOVED it.

Grady told Papa stories...

Teagen was extremely silly sitting by Grandma...

Summer and Daddy...

Peanut kisses...

And while birthdays are bitter-sweet, I certainly find them more sweet. I adore seeing these people grow. Yes, its happening fast. But I cannot change that. My job is to be sure that they enjoy THIS age, and learn and experience appropriately. I will fight hard to keep my girl acting as an 8 year old, and not allow the media or other parents and kids rush that.

I love that Summer plays hard, is not afraid to get dirty, and could care less about what someone is wearing or boyfriends. Its sad that she is one of the last girls in her class to still have these qualities.

So here's to being 8. What a great age. And its my favorite number:)

I love this girl with every ounce of my being. She is a spectacular person to grow up with!