birthday party

My little girl is growing up.
Oh so fast.

This year, Tiny's court date and impending departure were supposed to fall this very week - the week of Ky's birthday. Because of the pain she knew she would feel, Kylee could not get excited about her birthday and did not want to plan a party or celebration of any kind. It was so sad... However, as is the case with foster care, court dates changed AGAIN and will not be until the end of April now. When Kylee heard the news, she felt free to celebrate and we quickly planned a birthday party for her. "Mom, could we please do lunch and a movie?" Goodness, she's becoming so sophisticated. After thinking some more, she asked if we could do a sleep over also (that's more like it!). Now, we've had one friend at a time over to spend the night, but this would be our first group sleepover... we decided to give it a try!

Lunch at Noodles with her sweet friends - we missed her long time friend, Allison, who got sick on the day of the party. :O(

We saw "Gnomeo and Juliet" - super cute!!

Back at home, we were all set up for flower hair clip crafting

Kylee gave the girls a little lesson, and off to work they went!

The girls had so much fun making beautiful clips - some for themselves and some to give to little girls with cancer (to clip on hats) per Kylee's request.

Though the friends came from different aspects of Ky's life, they bonded quickly and were so kind to one another.

A little Wii...

... and a break for some snacks.

They were just so much fun!

Time for the birthday girl to open gifts

pizza dinner

chocolate cake with pink, cream cheese frosting per request :O)

another movie and snacks

then they chose to go down to the basement for the "sleep over"

after a couple of hours, I wondered if sleep was to be had at a sleep over...

but eventually they set up their beds and the house grew quiet.

what a fun day of celebrating with some very special friends!

I cannot believe my little girl is 8 already... every parent says it, but WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?!?! I love to look back on the years in her life and reflect on how God has worked in her life and little heart to grow her more and more into His character. What a joy and honor it has been to be her mommy the past 8 years!!!