It's always a hectic time of year for us because her big day is surrounded by several other important events: Chris's birthday, several close friends' birthdays, her Paw-Paw's birthday, and Father's Day all in a one week span. It's been an especially hectic time this year because we just closed on a new house (FIRST. HOUSE. EVER!) and are preparing to move this Saturday. So amid the chaos of boxes, to-do lists, and elevated stress levels that currently make up our lives, we squeezed in a birthday celebration for Miss Emma Bloom.
We went out to lunch and then to the pool for the afternoon. Although it was a pretty laidback celebration, the day still required some planning and an extra vehicle (thank you, Aunt Jayme!). Luckily, it all went off without a hitch...with one troubling exception. Emma invited three friends along, and two of the girls were utterly delightful. The third? Um...well, since I don't really derive any joy from denigrating second graders, I'll just say that one of Em's friends was apparently having a bad day and decided to bring some screaming and public tantrum-throwing to the party. Chris and I handled this alarming and oft-repeated behavior with as much compassion as we could muster, while exchanging looks that essentially translated to, "Hmmm...maybe our eight-year-old isn't as bad as we thought?" Ultimately, I had to have a rather uncomfortable conversation with the girl's mother and father, who were as lovely as any parents could be under such awkward circumstances. The whole thing was unfortunate, but Emma still had fun, which is all that really matters.
Because life seems to be moving at warp speed at the moment, I haven't had a chance to really process that my first baby is now eight years old. Truthfully, only one thing comes to mind as I think on it now: I feel really, really old. Of course, I also feel really, really lucky to be the parent of such an amazing, fierce, and dynamic little girl. But that has nothing to do with Emma's age, and everything to do with her heart.
Love you, Emma Bloom.
Pay no attention to the boxes that have completely overtaken our apartment.
I'm trying not to dwell on the fact that our home currently feels like an obstacle course.
Emma with her friend Juliette.
Nothing like a birthday sundae and several waiters singing to you in a crowded restaurant to put a smile on a girl's face.
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