Happy Birthday, Bop!

We celebrated Bop's birthday this week; I cannot believe that she's growing up so quickly. J made an off-hand remark that she's halfway to college! It seems incredible to me that my first baby could be nine years old. Where has the time gone?

Friday, she took a cake to school, wore a birthday girl badge and was given treats by several teachers. That evening, we had cake (chocolate with cream cheese icing) and ice cream (cookies and cream) at home before she opened gifts. I think we may have even sung on key, too!

When asked what she thinks the biggest difference between being eight and nine years old is, Bop said, "Maybe this year I can wear eye shadow!" Let's hope that wasn't her birthday wish or she'll be sorely disappointed.

Bop is definitely growing up as evidenced by her excitement in receiving clothes! Grandma M - the fur-lined hoodie was a HUGE hit! In fact, she paired it with the outfit Aunt J and Uncle J sent!

Bop was very excited to receive a bottle of her 'signature fragrance' from her Great-Grandmother; she said she'll be sure to do a better job of hiding it from Littlest this time. Uncle J and Aunt N - you know the fragrance we're talking about as she sprayed the equivalent of a bug bomb's worth in our apartment in Prague!

Aunt J.V. - She LOVED the books and most especially the bookmarks!

Uncle J and Aunt N - Bop was busy making earrings and necklaces for everyone today; thank you for the jewelry kit! Mom - hopefully your box will eventually find its way through the postal abyss to Germany!

Make a Wish!

Saturday, Bop and her friends painted jewelry boxes at a paint-your-own-pottery studio. We also went to the Christmas market in Mainz where the girls snacked on cotton candy before eating Mexican food!