Eden's 9th Birthday

Eden's 9th Birthday was a party from sunrise to sunset! She began the celebration by having a sleepover with her cousins at Grandma's house. They stayed up late (of course) doing crafts and playing games on the Wii. The "fairies" visited in the middle of the night (as they often do at Grandma's house) and left presents for all of the girls!

First thing the next morning the girls went to the "spa" at Jill's house (thank you Jill!). They were treated to pedicures and manicures while reading American Girl magazines and sipping orange juice. Breakfast was a doughnut tower complete with birthday candles!

Then it was back to Grandma's house for afternoon tea. The girls were treated to finger sandwiches, veggies, cheese & crackers, apples & caramel, petit fours, and lemonade poured from a tea pot into tea cups. Each of the girls were given a small tea pot of their own (thank you Grandma!).

After tea time we all headed back to our home in Carlsbad to gather with family and continue the celebration. We had cake and Eden opened her presents. Eden said more than once that day, "This is the best birthday ever!"

We told Eden this is her last single-digit year before she begins the double-digits. It was a reality check for me that time has passed so quickly. My Eden will soon be a young woman. I want to savor these next few years of "girlhood". I don't want her to grow up too quickly.

Eden, you are my first-born and my only daughter. You mean everything to me. I experienced pregnancy and motherhood for the first time with you. It was just you and me and Daddy for 2 1/2 until Kai arrived. I have such fond memories of just you and me together while Daddy was at work...we played together all day without the boys! : ) We ran errands together, watched Winnie the Pooh and Aristocats together, read books, did puzzles, got the mail and played on the playground every day together, snuggled...because you were my only child at that time I was able to give you so much of my attention and I'm thankful for those years. It has been so fun through the years as you have grown. You are a beautiful girl with such a caring heart, a spunky personality, and a great sense of humor! You are the little artist of the family, you are so creative! I look forward to continuing to watch you grow into a beautiful woman and I'm so glad I always get to be your Mommy!! I love you Eden, your Mommy loves you!!!