Crazy 8

I cannot believe it has been 8 years since holding this beautiful girl for the first time in my arms.  She got a special letter by her plate this morning from daddy and wanted to read me part of it that said:

"I'll never forget how happy I was the day you were born.  Since the minute you were born you've been an observant little girl, wanting to soak up every second of life.  I've loved watching you grow up!  As happy as I am, I wish I could pause the hands of time and keep you small for just a minute each day."  

As she read this to me I just started to tear up and even as I am writing this now I am fighting back the tears.  How can 8 years already pass?  I sometimes find myself wondering why older folks always tell me to treasure this time because it goes by all too quickly.  At times if feels like it will never end. :)  But now looking at my baby girl-who is no longer a baby, but is full of life and making her own choices and who I can have conversations with-I am beginning to see what they are talking about.  Time is going by too fast and I don't like it.

Oh how WE LOVE YOU ALEXA JANE WATTS!

It's official...you turn the age of 8 and your attitude changes as well. :) Thus the "Crazy 8" title of this post.

Ready to eat her traditional special birthday breakfast.  Not that I go all out with the menu, this year was cinnamon french toast with strawberries and apple juice to drink.

After school, I took her to get her ears pierced.  She's been looking forward to this for a LONG time.  Her father on the other hand...let's just say I was prepared to shock his heart a few times from the attack that almost occurred. :)

We didn't have a big birthday party with all her friends this year, but she invited her BFF Marie over for pizza and salad and then all us girls went to the U of U gymnastics meet.

Audrie and her Best Cousin Carley

Alexa is really into American Girl dolls.  She has Kit already and just got Laney from grandpa and grandma Child, with some fun accessories.  She's also very into art like I have mentioned before, so grandma Watts put together the funnest art/craft kit with all sorts of cool stuff.  She was even more thrilled when Brandon and I pulled out a desk that his dad made and put it down in the playroom for her.  Now she has her own working space.

I think I'll purchase this gorgeous doll for myself. ;)