Birthday girl!

On Sunday we celebrated the 8th birthday of our big girl, Mary Clare! We started the day celebrating the Epiphany at Mass downtown and then headed on to one of our family's favorite eateries. Aside from grandparents, I had no idea who'd make it to lunch, but it turned out that nearly all of Steven's side of the family was able to come.

Excited about her new watch and hat!




What Mommy usually looks like these days, always with Tommy attached!


After lunch we went to the nearby shopping village with some of the aunts and cousins to get Mary Clare's ears pierced. Claire's store was a bit overwhelming, and after getting up in the chair, she changed her mind. So she picked out some special goodies from the store, and we did a little shopping with NeNe and PaPa!


Wow, 2 pictures including Mommy today!


Here she is when we got home, happy with her smoothie and her new cake making toy!


She took a photo for me to see her attempted cake, since I was sleeping :) She made herself a real cake later that evening and we had an impromptu Happy Birthday around 9:30pm! We'll celebrate again this weekend with a small party for a few friends and family.


Late that night, she came out of bed and told me she wanted to have her ears pierced the next day! Well, we didn't have time for it during the chaos that was Monday, but today (Tuesday) we went with her best friend and family to go make it happen!

Here she is with naked ears! We went to Merle Norman this time and liked the atmosphere a lot better.


Getting ready with her friends looking on...


"I just want to get it over with!"


Little beauty.

And tomorrow we go to get her eyes checked and pick out glasses. What a big week!

Oh Mary Clare, what a special little girl you are! Mommy and Daddy are so proud at the young lady you are becoming. This is a special year for you as you complete 2nd grade and prepare to make your First Holy Communion and receive Jesus for the first time!

You are a great reader, a math whiz, a beautiful dancer, a learning pianist, a good big sister, a little cook, a doll-lover, a fun fashionista, a creative seamstress, a kind friend, and a lovely daughter! May you always use your talents to serve God. May you always know how much He loves you and how much We love you. We can't wait to see what this new year has in store for you!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY!