Emma's 9th Birthday!

Emma turned 9 on May the 4th. Unfortunately, this year, her birthday has fallen at an odd time of quarantine in our country. We had a big party planned at the local trampoline park and Emma was so excited, but it did not come to fruition. Instead, we celebrated this sweet girl the best we could at home. She got her school work done early in the day and just played most of the afternoon with her siblings. She did get some texts and FaceTime calls from friends and family that were the highlight of her day. Both sets of grandparents were able to come over and socially distance (somewhat) for dinner and cake that night. I asked Emma if it was a fun day, and she told me it was the best day ever.

If Emma is 9, it means that we bought a new house and moved to Valdosta 9 years ago, Ellie became a sister 9 years ago, we all settled back in Georgia for good 9 years ago, and Worth being done completely with all his training 9 years ago. It seems like it happened yesterday sometimes. Other times it seems eons ago. Her birthday signifies a family anniversary of sorts - our move from residency to real life.

This post is dedicated to her and her precious yet stubborn soul. She has the sweetest voice, is so thoughtful, she loves science, and prefers math over reading any day. She loves to organize things, to cook, and to compete. Competing is where things get tough for her, because she DOES NOT like to lose. The need to win in EVERYTHING is painful for her, and her stubborn personality doesn't help that out. I'm doing my best to foster this positively so that one day I can sit back and enjoy watching the great things she will accomplish.

The kids now expect kitchen "decorations" to come to on the mornings of their birthdays.  I have spoiled them, but I only have so many years of this before they are not with me on the morning of their birthdays. 

Emma doesn't waste time getting into her gifts. 

She really loves reading the cards. 

This year I taught Emma how to make an Amazon wish list. She is the hardest person in the family (other than Worth) to buy for so the wish list made shopping a breeze for this birthday. This was a Sip - n Mist that she has begged for for couple of months. 

She also got some sandals that I would have no idea that she would have ever wanted if it had not been for the wish list. 

A big part of her wish list was pool floats. We bought her the biggest, most obnoxious one on her list since there was no birthday party this year. 

She literally dives in when gift opening. 

I also splurged on a sign company to let the neighborhood joint in on the birthday celebration. She was so excited when she woke up to the sign that morning. 

Why does she look so grown up in this picture? 

The girls tested out the new pool float while Mack pulled them around. 

Sweet sisters. 

Emma got a surprise call from her best friend., Avery. They are only school friends and  other than knowing that she lived in our neighborhood, I had no way of getting in touch with the little girl once quarantine hit. I ended up finding her mom's number and we set up a call and FaceTime between them that day. Emma FaceTimed with her for 40 minutes. She misses her friends soooo much. 

Somehow, I didn't get any pictures with the grandparents that night, but they were all there for the birthday celebration. 

Ice cream cake from DQ was her request this year. 

Such a beautiful gift! 

She was officially 9 once the candles were blown out!

The ice cream cake was a hit!