eight years

eight years old.  that is really hard to comprehend.  you made me a mama eight years ago today, and I couldn't be happier that you did.  

this year you have faced so many challenges and changes.  everyday you find a way to bring a little more joy to those around you.  you are serious, kind, funny, sassy, bold, artistic, loving, and thoughtful.  

right now, you love your american girl dolls.

you love pizza, and plain mixed green salads.

you drink a glass of orange juice every night with dinner.

and have found a love for deserts.

especially nothing bundt cakes.

you now eat chicken, as long as it has plenty of sauce to accompany it.

you draw like there's no tomorrow.

and love creating your own science experiments.

you ballet all day.

you ballet all night.

you are growing even more graceful with each plie and turn.

you love hamilton.  love it.  like haven't listened to anything else but hamilton since july 3.

you love jack's and bento box, and will now finally take me up on a pinkberry run when I suggest it.

chocolate hazelnut with dark chocolate crips, chocolate chips, and of course, mochi. 

you love to match me, and your dolls.

you wish your hair was straight some days, and I wish my hair was curly most days.

you have two little top teeth that refuse to come in; you have six adult teeth fully in.

you are exactly four feet tall, and when I pick you up for even a moment, we almost match in height.

you act like you are ninety too often, and when you do, I call you gertrude.

but when you act like a cute ninety-year old, I call you gertie.

you keep your nona going everyday, which has always been true, but especially true this past month.

we love you to the moon and back baby girl.

try to stay tiny for just a little while longer.

love, your mama

a birthday post, one year late

my baby girl is about to turn eight.

I'm going to let that sink in for a moment.

some days she still feels just like my little squishy baby, and other days, a full grown girl.

this fall has been extremely challenging for our family filled with many ups and downs.

I finally made a point to edit her birthday video and I share these bittersweet memories here now.

in just ten days we will celebrate everly's 8th birthday, without her grandma.  this is our first celebration since her passing, and I'm unsure how it will feel.  there will for sure be something missing in that day.

this year has just taken so much.  looking back at these memories keeps me hopeful for when the time begins to shift back to normal. it also has inspired me to get back into blogging.  I am so thankful for the memories I have preserved here on this little page, and hope that I can find my passion here once again.  warning, past memories may be shared here soon.

and now some photos from celebrating seven, and a little mini-film at the end...

here's our mini-film from the day spent with our closest family and friends:

music: "This is Halloween" by the Vitamin String Quartet

and just like that, six

everly mae - you are everything
I love you to the moon and back
you are so smart and so spunky
talented and kind
so thoughtful with your words
and was even just honored at school for your responsibility
you care about others
and others can't seem to get enough of you
so everly mae - you are my everything
we all love you to the moon and back

almost six!

this past weekend we took advantage of some gorgeous October weather here in California and celebrated everly turning almost six!

considering we literally hopped off a bus the night before from a week at science camp, I think we pulled things off.  at one point I actually forgot we were even hosting a birthday party until late the night before.  thankfully I was able to talk everly into a halloween themed party this year.  first, it is her favorite thing ever.  and second, very little 'day of' decorating needed to happen because our house is highly decorated for the holiday already.  really just the back yard needed some spooky details to bring the party to life.  thank you to everyone who helped me get this party together in very little time!

thanks auntie for whipping up her radish earrings for her costume, and my sally bow for that fact!

 ^christmas card material???^

and unless you always want to make ridiculous homemade birthday cakes, 

don't go crazy on year one, or they kind of expect it!

^she asked for her hair to be straightened for her costume - 

Luna Lovegood, I barely recognize my baby^

and since I was already looking at her first birthday party - here's a little peek down the road to six.

and yes, I made every single cake.

thankfully, we just ordered some ridiculous donuts for her kid party this coming weekend!

as always, love celebrating this little lady of ours!