Nine

Keely celebrated her ninth birthday last week. She brought cupcakes to school, but unfortunately got sent home before the in-class celebrations due to a case of head lice.  Talk about a horrible birthday present!  She was disappointed but they saved the cupcakes and celebrated a day late.  We celebrated at home that night with ice cream cake and presents - roller blades from Mom and Dad, and a bead set from Quinn.

We continued the celebration this weekend with a visit from Nana, Papa and Annie.  Papa was a surprise visitor, and the look on Keely's face when he walked in was priceless.  He was supposed to be camping all weekend, but he cut out early for his granddaughter's birthday celebration, and to see me finish my first marathon and took the train to DC on Saturday afternoon.  When Keely found out initially that he was choosing camping over her birthday, he asked what she wanted for her birthday.  Her answer...you!  She knows how to get someone wrapped around her little finger, that's for sure.  So he couldn't deny her that, and he exhausted himself to get here to spend the night with us.  We ate tomato soup and naan for dinner, her choice - and pasta primavera for me to continue my carbo-loading, and then celebrated with cake and presents.  She got some accessories from American Girl, and Annie bought her a Halloween costume.  So now my baby is 9, a fact that she and I both lamented.  She says she doesn't want to grow up, and that time goes too quickly.  She's very right, but I did promise her that she wouldn't feel any different once her birthday came and went, and she admitted I was right. 

I can't believe she is 9 already...the last year before double digits and now halfway through her childhood (presuming she goes to college when she is 18).  She continues to be a challenge, but her personality is contagious - she's spunky, smart and fun to be around (most times).  I still am not looking forward to her teen years, but hope we have some time before the big drama hits...the calm before the storm, so to speak.  Apropos as the rain falls and winds whip up from an impending hurricane as I type this.  The days will be up and down, but I will enjoy the ride with my baby because she's right, time does go fast and I'll miss her when she's not with me each day.