EIGHT.

The radiant birthday girl

Yesterday, Juniper turned eight.  EIGHT. Like, we're talking 2 years short of double digits.  Or, as Juniper would be quick to tell you, three years away from being invited to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I could spend a long, drawn out post detailing the various emotions that go along with such an event (where did the time go?  what happened to my chubby little baby?, and the like), but instead, I'll simply detail the events. You're welcome.

So, as any very keen observer would have already noticed from that opening photo, the big present this year was -- wait for for it -- PIERCED EARS!  Eight years old is the (relatively arbitrary) magical age wherein the kids in our house can choose whether or not they want to put a permanent hole through their earlobes. Though she hemmed and hawed about the potential pain involved, Juniper's sense of grown-up-ness and fashion won out over her trepidations.  With much excitement, off we went to the mall.

I love the look on her face, and the hands gripping the chair arms.  She claimed afterwards that it was "no big deal".

Though I don't have a great close-up, she chose 14-karat gold studs with a bezel cubic zirconium (for all those who need details).  These must stay in for at least three weeks, and then she's free to start switching them up.  She already has a few pairs ready and waiting, and thinks she knows what she wants to wear on her first day of school.  This is all, if you haven't already guessed, VERY exciting.

The birthday party itself was a small but fun affair at our house.  Lots of food, cake, and presents, and I had bought some white cotton ball caps and fabric markers for an activity/loot bag "prize".  Plus, there were lots of raspberries and snow peas to harvest, which kept the kids entertained for longer than you'd think. Though there were a bunch of invitees who couldn't make it for one reason or another, we ended up with a pretty stellar crew: Will and the girls; Toni, John and Bella (who, of course, also just turned 8), and our awesome neighbours from across the street: Ruth and kids (Liam, Zoë and Ruby).

Making personalized hats

Juniper's request: both chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, in the shape of an 8

The kids in their hats! (l-r: Eva, Sylvie, Juniper, Bella, Zoë; Liam, Ruby, Linden)

The whole birthday crew....

.... and one more with silly faces!

It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, a very book-themed  present-opening.  Two gift cards to Chapters, a box-set of Little House on the Prairie, and an addition to a series that Juniper has been devouring as of late.  With those gift cards burning a hole in her pocket, Juniper and I headed over to Chapters very shortly after the party ended.  She knew exactly what she wanted, but opted to get three books instead of four, as that would leave her enough to also get Linden a little set of Lego.  I should also add that she came back from Fredericton with $20 of birthday money from my sister Kelli and her family, and the first thing she did with it was get Linden two presents at the Dollar Store.  That is pretty cute if you ask me.

Relaxing at Starbucks with her new purchases and a mint tea

And that about sums it up!  I'm sure there will be more parties in New Brunswick when the kids head back there later this week.  Since I've got pictures, I'll also add a round-up of some of the other activities from this past week:

My first-ever strawberry-rhubarb pie (made with rhubarb from our back yard).  It was deeeee-licious, if I do say so myself.

Juniper was as excited as I was

Trying out a new project: drawing with glue, and then colouring with chalk pastels.  It was SUPER fun and successful:

Juniper's finished piece (chick and egg)

Linden's underwater scene...

... and his exploding volcano

Clark took the kids down to the tall ships weekend.  It was, apparently, CRAZY. But at least the kids got their pictures taken with a "girl pirate".  (Juniper talked about it for days afterwards)

They went to tall ships with Ruth, Joe and kids, and had lunch on the waterfront.  Here's Juniper, clearly very happy to have the privilege of holding Ruby

And finally, we did a bunch of science experiments this past week, including the construction of a balloon-powered car.  Here's a little video: