Elizabeth turns 8!

I can't believe my Elizabeth Joy is 8 years old!

This little girl made me a mama, and she continues to fill my heart with so much love.

Elizabeth had her first unofficial surprise party!  A couple of days before her birthday she asked to go to Laredos for dinner.  She wanted to wear the sombrero and be sung to in Spanish.  I texted a few friends to see if they could join us last minute... they all said yes!  I didn't tell Elizabeth, but when we got to dinner so many of her friends were there to celebrate with her.  It was the perfect surprise!

I found all of these selfies she had taken on my phone when we got home. 

For her actual party, Elizabeth invited 4 girls from her class to go to the American Girl Bistro.  Her birthday outfit with matching doll clothes did not arrive in time (even though i ordered it 3 weeks in advance).  But since it was going to be a surprise for EJ, she didn't even know to be disappointed.  This is still her favorite matching outfit anyway! 

Waiting for all the girls to arrive and playing inside the AG store.

I sat across from my big girl and her doll at lunch.

Lovely little ladies having lunch.  The lunch was so yummy and they had a little question box to pass around to promote conversation.  We will definitely be going back!

Caroline's little pinky cracked me up.

This picture isn't great, but that birthday girl sure is!

I am definitely a fan of smaller birthdays that are more personal.  The girls that celebrated with her this year are Caroline, Sophia, Bailee, Miller, and Mckinley.

After lunch I took the girls to ride the carousel and then meet their parents for pick up.  

And as soon as we arrived home, what do you think was in our mailbox?  Yep... her birthday outfit!  

Tritt Family Dance

The theme for the girls' school dance this year was "Hollywood."  They were so excited... mostly because I said they could wear make-up!

Elizabeth and her friends hardly left the dance floor.

Caroline was mostly into socializing and taking snack breaks with her daddy:)

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Ears Pierced

Elizabeth has been asking for a while to have her ears pierced.  We told her that she could for her 8th birthday.  She was so brave!  My favorite part was when she got nervous and asked her sister to hold her hand.

Falcons

I am not an fan of the NFL, but it was so much fun that the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl.  The energy around town was amazing and quite contagious.  The girls' school did a big Falcon celebration  where they decorated their halls and doors on the Friday before the Super Bowl. 

We watched the game at our neighbor's house.  All the girls piled into one bedroom and watched a movie during the game.  They were so quiet the whole time.  They would shush anyone who opened the door.

We had plenty of activities to keep us (those who don't really care about the Super Bowl) entertained.  The Falcons lost, but I won the final square!!!

Talent Show

Both girls participated in the Talent Show this year.  Elizabeth came home one day

 with a list of 6 girls and their telephone numbers.  She asked me to call of their moms to see if they would do the talent show with her.  How could I say no??  

They all said yes, and so I got to work thinking about what in the world their talent would be.  They all wanted to dance, but I did not want to choreograph anything.  So we put together a string of popular songs that already had dance moves.  And then we turned the girls into glowing skeletons, and let them do their thing! 

Introducing.... The Glow Girls

Caroline's group was so adorable.  Seven little kindergartners.  They were the youngest group in the show and the crowd loved them from the moment they walked on the stage.

Random Thoughts and Pictures

My girls love them some Reese Hill!

They also love ice cream!

Aren't they sweet when they're sleeping.  When I was on my girls trip, Bert let them sleep in our bed.

No, it's not Christmas and No, it's not summer time.  What's with their pj choices! HA!

High school basketball games are exhausting.

Having friends over is fun for kids of all ages... even the parents

We love eating dinner with the Hill girls on Tuesdays after dance

I love these two so very much!!