... and then she was 9.

Oh my stars... that girl. MY girl! Today she is NINE.

Time rarely feels like it's flying by when I look back on her years since she was born into our family. When I stop to think about it, I can hardly remember a time when she wasn't around. I feel like it has been me and her, attached at the hips, always. And I feel like I am waiting (im)patiently for her to become the awesome woman I know she'll be so she can be my best friend.

That time will be here before I know it and when it comes, I know there are things that will have been lost in my memory along the way. So, for posterity...

:: that hair... we call it frazy-crazy. Favorite styles are "Aunt Bonnie Buns", "Side Down Poenies", "Wet Braids", and "High Up Pig Tails"
:: she can scream like a banshe and cuddle like the sweetest puppy
:: monkey love conitues to reign supreme over teddy beads
:: as one commenter mentioned... yep, she still starts conversations with a thoughtful "Momma", and we spell it that way because that's how my Mom always spelled it, and I like it that way
:: she is a pack rat saving every single thing as special... she can seriously find the "special" in anything... part of me thinks that it awesome! the other part thinks she'll be on Hoarders someday
:: she wanted to master a cartwheel last year and she did... she is working on her round offs now
:: current bff(s)... Abby, Katelyn, Maria, and Georgia... and pretty much any other person she mentions... she thinks of everyone as her best friend
:: Daddy is in the habit of cutting her nails too short these days, she hates it
:: She sneaks treats out of Daddy's candy stash to make up for the above offense
:: M & (freaking) M's. oh.how.she.loves.them.
:: she loves to sing and wants to be on a tv singing show... any of them.
:: c.r.a.f.t.s. she has a drawer in her room devoted to her supplies and when any gift giving thing comes up she is the first to think of something to make and give
:: curently crochetting chains, painting, doodling, and writing love letters are her best artistic skills
:: her sense of style makes me proud... that girl is bold and daring and doesn't care if someone has a problem with the way she works stripes and plaids
:: she is currently reading Harry Potter, by herself
:: her nightowl nature has me shouting TURN THE LIGHT OFF until 10pm every night.
:: still doesn't eat fruit... hates eating breakfast... and loves homemade chicken fingers (tonight's dinner)
:: birthday cake request this year... two layers, chocolate, purple frosting, and the retro Barbie logo in pink icing
:: did I mention that hair, and the snuggling?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BUGABOO-LORNADOON!

Momma LOVES you!

Do you remember the photos I shared when she was four, when she was five, or when she was six, how about when she was seven, and when she was eight and we rocked the house? She has been a part of this blog for 7 years... she's growing up before your eyes!

Birthday BLOWOUT!

Today is my 34th birthday and to celebrate I thought it would be fun to have a special 24 hours sale on my website.

So, today only, ALL jewelry is 34% off!! 

Y'all know that sales are something I rarely do. This is the kinda of discount that wholesale jewelry shops get. It's your chance to treat yourself to something beautiful, colorful, and one of a kind.

Think of it as a Valentine to yourself.

While you're shopping, I'll be stuffing my face with birthday cake, and brownies, and pie, and chocolates. (Maybe I should just leave my bathing suit at home when I go on the Bead Cruise! HA!)

How To Have The BEST 8th Birthday EVER!

Step 1: Build a runway. Oh yes, the best "Sweet & Sassy" style parties MUST have a runway. Borrow curtains from a friend and ask Daddy to build a small platform. Cover it in fabric and the more twinkle lights the better. (You also might want to lock the cat in a room because they will attack the fabric and twinkle lights.)

Step 2: Invite your friends, but also invite your Gee and Aunt Bonnie and Aunt Bonnie's friend Jenny too. This is very important. These girls got glamore skills and they will doll the guests up. Gee does nails, Jenny does SPARKLE make-up, and Aunt Bonnie will style everyone's hair however they wish. (special note: girls with straight hair will want theirs curly, and girls with curly will want it straight.)





Step 3: Make fascinators for as your party craft and TUTUs are the awesome-est party favor. Okay, so the fascinators might not want to stay in your guests hair, but you can quickly turn them into corsages or add them to the waist band of your tutus.

Step 4: Turn the DANCE station on Pandora and R.O.C.K.I.T.O.U.T!! OH YEAH!! (group hugs are a must)





Step 7: Choreograph a sweet show for the parents when the return at pick up time. And your group routine should have a conga line, best friend catwalk pairings, and individual pose striking too.

Step 6: Take lots of photos and video! A video mash up of the party photos and videos makes for a really special thank you note.