Ev Turns Eight

For her eighth birthday, she asked for a slumber party.  With 3 friends over.  How could I say no to that?  Her lovely friends Aoife, Abby and Hallie came and celebrated with Evelyn in the sweetest way -- doting on her with gifts and kindness and helping her manage the excitement of a "sleep" over (they seem to be more experienced with this and actually did want to sleep).

There was so much excitement we forgot to sing her happy birthday -- following a hilarious piñata beating contest, they built their own sundaes (in lieu of a birthday cake) and then dashed off to play upstairs in Ev's room.

...she has shared the bunkbed with Emerson until only recently. Tag and I suspect that she started sleeping in her own room with her eye on this epic birthday event...  She's maturing and starting to chart her own course. As we roll on toward nine, I cannot wait to see what this amazing girl chooses as her favorites, her opinions, her approach to the world.