Samantha turns 8 - a month long celebration

It took us all of November to celebrate Samantha turning 8. It all began with her birthday party. We let her have a big party this year, and she thought long and hard about what she wanted to do. She decided to have it at Build-a-Bear. Twelve of her most favorite friends came, and they had a great time!

The next week was her first birthday present. We took her us to Kansas City to see Wicked. It was something she has wanted to do ever since I took Megan to see it for her birthday a few months ago. It was supposed to be just her and Mike going to it, but Noah and I were able to go at the last minute when some friends who had the tickets next to ours were unable to go. I don't have any pictures, but Sammy loved every minute of the show. It was a fun get away for our family.

Sammy was fortunate to once again have grandparents in town for her birthday. Her day began with a bagel breakfast at Panera.

She spent a leisurely day shopping, opening presents, and going to Red Robin for dinner.

Sammy loves the peace sign, so wanted to have a peace cake. I was grateful for the simple request.

One of the thing about turning 8 that she has looked forward to for a couple of years was getting her ears pierced. She wanted to have a big audience for it, so she waited to do it a couple of days after her birthday so that Grandma and Grandpa could be there too.

She was so excited when she sat down in the chair.

Until they brought out the piercing guns. Luckily they did both at the same time, otherwise she probably wouldn't have gone through with the second ear.

All done, trying so hard not to cry.

Getting her first look at the final result.

Now that it's a week later, I think she is finally happy that she did it. She was so brave and looks so cute.