Happy Birthday Bug!

Yup.  You guessed it, she's nine!!  Only one more year and our baby will be out of the single digits.  Crazy! 

When I put Bradyn to bed on the eve of her 9th birthday, we made a joke about all the things it would be the last time to do as an eight year old - hug her, tuck her in, kiss her.  I couldn't resist... as soon as she fell asleep, I had to take a picture.  The last sleeping photo of my eight-year old.  :-(

Not only was February 13 Bradyn's birthday, but it was also the day she got to change her earrings for the first time.  What did she choose?  Monster High-esque skull and crossbones earrings.  Yep, that's my girl.

 

Beautiful.

 

Bradyn opened a few of her gifts at breakfast, but waited until after dinner to open the rest.  I think she loved her cozy fleece pyjamas. 

 

Ta-Da!  The birthday cupcake.

 

Thinking way too hard about what she was going to wish for.

 

Is it me or does she look so much older than 9 in this photo?

 

Instead of the usual 10-kid chaotic birthday party this year, Bradyn chose to invite her closest friends Diana, Maya and Lola for a sleepover on Valentine's Day.  I figured why not?  Could it really be any harder than a 2-hour mad house?  (By the way, it was way easier, but I think that may be partly due to the fact that they're another year older.)

 

Bradyn was very specific about her cake again this year - black forest, because she wanted the cherries.

 

After pizza, cake and chocolate fondue with fruit, the girls headed down to the wrestling cave to watch Book of Life.  (Bradyn watched it again on Sunday afternoon with me since I didn't watch it Saturday night - it's a cute movie!)

 

All the girls slept in Bradyn's room (the 3 guests were on air mattresses on the floor) and at 11:45 pm, I finally went in to lay down the law.  There was no more talking after that.  After about 7 hours of sleep, we had a feast of pancakes, bacon and juice.  (By the way, did you know you can cook bacon in the oven and avoid the whole grease-spitting experience?  Genius!!!)

 

Looking a wee bit tired.

 

I think we could handle another sleepover next year.  Happy Birthday Bradybug - can't wait to see what the next year of your life brings.