8 Is Great!

Uhhhhh, can you believe my baby girl is EIGHT?!?!? Me neither.This is such an exciting age for a kid. So many new things, and lots of changes. She went to her first Activity Days activity and it was a fancy tea party. She picked out her outfit and accessories with only a little help and had the time of her life. I know she is just going to love attending twice a month.

On her birthday she chose a birthday breakfast of waffles with strawberries, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. Pretty delish. She got to open one of her gifts and it was a Justin Bieber cd, a pair of earrings (sqeeee!!) and a coupon for an ear-piercing after school. Oh my, was this girl ever excited. She has been counting down the days since her 7th birthday (I literally remember her waking up on her 7th birthday and saying, "Only one more year until I get my ears pierced!") to get those cute little things that stick out on either side of her head punched through with a piercing gun :) Andy and I decided that we would wait until our girls were 8 years old to be able to get their ears pierced (if they so chose), that way it was their decision, and they were accountable for it. Both of us had that rule in our homes growing up, and I think it's great (well, now I do.... I hated it then :)
I went to eat lunch with Laylah at school and she had requested Mcdonald's, so that's what she got. It was fun chatting with all of her cute little friends and they all looooved baby M (she had requested I bring him too, of course).

After school I was busy making her requested dinner of choice-chicken, cheese, and broccoli crepes and also fruit and nutella crepes. As soon as those were complete, we headed to the mall. She let Daphne tag along.

She doesn't look it, but she was really nervous. I knew this because she was really quiet all the way to the mall and she and Daphne kept giggling nervously and pinching each other's ears trying to decide how badly it would hurt.

She didn't hesitate when I asked her if she was sure that she wanted this. She replied with a resounding, "Yes!" and the gal there got busy marking her ears, and re-marking (I was very picky). Finally, she punched through the first ear and before Laylah could hardly blink, she punched through the second.She's squeezing my hand right here VERY tightly :)

I was very surprised. No tears, no scream, no nothin'. The girl who has been completely terrified to the point of being hysterical and then passing out at the sight of a needle, stayed cool, calm, and collected. How grown up. I was very proud.

She couldn't stop looking at herself and took the chance to do just that whenever we were near a mirror.

Later, after our bellies were full of a variety of crepes, we got to the good stuff. Gifts! Now, all Laylah had asked for was an American Girl doll that looked like her, as well as a horse for her doll to ride. That was it. I had told her that the doll would cost a lot of money and that that was all she would get, and nothing else. She said that was fine, all she wanted was an American Girl doll. After talking with my mother about this, my mom so generously offered to give Laylah the doll since 8 is a very special birthday. I ordered it (and paid extra to have her ear's pierced.... cool, right?!) and when it came, I was so surprised to see how much it looked like Laylah. Anyway, Laylah thought that was all she was getting, so when I had her open a couple other gifts first, she was a little sad thinking that maybe she hadn't gotten the doll after all. But she was still her sweet, polite self and thanked Andy and I profusely for her new swimsuit, clothes, and a few other little things we got her.When I finally let her open THEE doll, her face was priceless. I didn't catch the best of it, but she was so happy. Her smile shows it...

And then there was still one gift left and Laylah couldn't figure out what it could possibly be. She had everything she'd asked for and more. Except... that cute little horse for her doll to ride! I got one of the knock-offs at Target and she couldn't have been more thrilled.
It was a very wonderful, fun, exciting birthday for Miss Laylah. Just the way an 8th birthday should be. It's very special, after all!

Here are a few more pics of the night...

Funny Jonah, always making us laugh

Our big girl.... getting too big, too fast

Lucky girl with her spoils:Her doll from my parents; a weaving kit and money from Andy's parents; money and cards from great grandmas, aunts, and uncles; clothes, cd, earrings, and horse from Andy and I, swimsuit and sunglasses from the 3 boys, and a cute Sisters necklace from Daphne that she picked out all on her own for Laylah.

Twin girls, Laylah and Kaylah

Cute sisters, big and little

And then it was time for cake and singing. Strawberry Shortcake Cake. It was huge. And yummy :)

And now, a little about my girl who is 8 (sob!):

Laylah is pretty much the greatest child a mom could ask for. She is helpful, happy, wonderful, kind, loving, and nearly perfect in every way. That's not to say she doesn't have her moments (tantrums, bossiness, and once in awhile, hitting or slamming of a door :), but she is basically a dream child for me. She does what is asked of her, does what isn't asked of her, and is always asking if she can do anything else to help me. I think that sometimes I take advantage of her because of her always-willing nature. I will take a step back once in awhile and ask her if she really wants to be doing this (helping me) or if she'd rather be playing or doing something else. She usually replies that she wants to help, but once in awhile, she requests to go play or read, or do something else (which is completely fine by me). She loves to read (it must be a gene-my grandma, my mother, all my sisters, and now my daughters, all LOVE to read) and is at a 5th grade reading level. She can finish a chapter book in a couple days. She loves to attend school and is an excellent student, and also loves to play school and be the teacher. She also will play this game on Sunday's as "Primary" and be the primary leader with all the other kids as the class (they're pretty good sports most of the time). She also loves to play "Mom" and have all the kids be her children. She just wants to be a grown-up so badly. I am constantly telling her to enjoy being a kid. She is so very mature for her age and people are often asking me if she is 10? 11? (Because she is also very tall for her age-90th percentile(54 inches), 75th for weight(60 pounds)) to which I have to laugh and tell them how old she really is. She thinks it's great, of course. She loves food and is not picky. She really loves it all and once I asked her what her least favorite food was, and she couldn't think of anything. However, she LOVES treats and anything with sugar. She is so like me, it's scary. She loves to do anything crafty and artistic. Not quite sure where she gets that from seeing as how her mother is quite challenged in the area... :) She loves to sing and I love hearing her. She also enjoys dancing and cheerleading. She hasn't quite decided what she wants to do this fall, but I think she's leaning towards cheer again. I think we'll also sign her up for piano lessons from my neighbor. She loves, loves to be outside. She will ride her bike, play tag, play in the dirt, play games with friends in the circle down the street, and she just LOVES to swim. She is an excellent swimmer, but she really wants to take lessons to become better. She also adores horses and riding and everything that comes with it. I feel bad that we can't afford lessons out here (we only could in Utah because, well, they were free :) but hopefully this summer she'll be able to get her fill when we visit Utah. She loves all other animals too, and is mainly in charge of our dog, Sadie's care. She is constantly asking questions and wants to know everything about anything (Now THAT, I know where it comes from!). She is a good little sneak sometimes too, and can be tricky when she wants to be. I feel really bad sometimes that she is my oldest because of how the oldest always kind of gets crapped on. She's been our guinnea pig and sometimes I feel like I really overreact, or give her a punishment about something that later, doesn't really seem to matter so much. Somehow though, she seems to be turning out just fine, is always very forgiving, and I am constantly complimeted on her and her wonderful behavior and attitude. Her school teachers, and especially her church leaders, always have something good and wonderful to say about her, usually something about how sweet she is. And she is. She is a wonderful daughter, sister, and friend. Everyone loves Laylah and I feel so constantly blessed that she is mine.

Happy #8 Laylah Girl! I love you to the moon and back, forever.