Happy Birthday, Casey

Casey got to wake up with pink balloons on the floor of her room

Sunday my baby turned 8.  She was so anxious to know the exact time that she would be officially 8 that I had to scramble through birth certificates, the little card that is on the plastic crib things the newborns sleep in at the hospital and other memorabilia to try to find the time she was born.  I swear at one time I knew this, as well as length, weight and head circumference like my social security number, but I found it all gone when I was asked to call upon it.  I did finally find it in the baby book that I have completed all of 3 pages of (this is why I need my blog! my scrap booking skills are terrible!).  Casey came screaming into this world at 1:53 p.m. on November 18, 2004. 

One of my favorite pictures - Casey at her baptism, 3 months old

2 days old

 

In searching for the time she was born we found the little pink hat she received at the hospital :)

After already having some of her friends over for a party and all of our families over the day before, her actual birthday was going to have to be low key.  I was partied out.  We did go out to breakfast at First Watch to celebrate and then we just played outside the entire day.  Having a November birthday myself, I know not every year will be 60 degrees and sunny, so we took advantage of the day and hung out kicking the ball around, swinging on the swings, running through leaves and going out for ice cream.  I had the opportunity to play around with my new camera and managed to capture some good shots of the birthday girl AFTER 1:53 p.m. :)

 

 

 

 

 

And at her party on Saturday, I was completely in love with the fact that she still isn't too old to get ridiculously excited about receiving gifts.  (Note: none of her gifts were big budget items or electronics).  I hope she never becomes that kid that feels the need to play it all cool when opening a gift or, even worse, take it all for granted and not even get a little excited inside about what might be inside pretty paper and bows.  Let the joy live on forever, sister!

 

Of course birthdays make me a bit sentimental.  (A lot of things make me a bit sentimental.)  So I couldn't help but look back at all the birthdays my big girl has had.  I can already look in the crystal ball and see myself elderly, sitting in a rocker pouring over old pictures of my girls with a handkerchief tucked in the sleeve of my shirt.  I've made peace with that lady of the future as long as all the pictures are of my kids this happy.

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

 

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old

8 years old

So Long Soccer

Soccer season is over.  Today Casey and the Red Firecrackers lost in their little state tournament game.  She was sad and there were tears (and some actual sobbing - like the moaning kind). Controlling emotions isn't one of the things you have mastered when you are 7.  One of our family members teased me a little for taking a couple of pictures of the tears, but I want to capture all of our memories, not just the ones that look good on paper.  I think one day, she'll appreciate seeing her 7 year old self so emotionally invested in something and truly caring that the fun of the season was over.  But probably not any time soon...

 

One last huddle

A hug from daddy

 

This was the first time Casey seemed to really enjoy a sport and we enjoyed watching her learn, have fun, and make new friends.  And it was a really good group of girls, too.  They all learned about the game and cheered each other on like no body's business.  And yet, no one took it all too seriously to lose perspective that they were really all just 6 and 7 year olds and playing Barbies was a priority, too. 

Winning smiles from last weekend

 

Different sports and activities will inevitably come and go for Casey in years to come, but for a while, the concept of 'team' will be compared to the fall of 2012.  Casey is old enough to remember how fun it was to jump up and down when another teammate scored a goal or get jumped and celebrated on when she scored.  And how bad she could feel for a friend who played on another team that lost.  And how there was no jealousy or cattiness that will soon come when a group of girls gets together at all, much less to compete (ugh!  I am soo going to hate that business!). 

Celebrating a teammate's goal

 

The excitement of all of our families coming here to celebrate her birthday today has made the end of soccer all but forgotten.  She'll have her memories, our pictures, a medal and a trophy to remember the year she started to love sports and being a member of a team by.  (I'll have to remember to tell Casey one day far in the future how she actually got that District Champs trophy - I think it will make her smile). 

 

 

At the team party a few weeks ago Emily was given a participation trophy and medal for being such a good cheerleader and (Casey-appointed) team mascot.  It was a sweet gesture that Emily beamed about for weeks. 

Emily is still shaking her thing at dance class and her dance competition will be the next opportunity for me to go all sideline-mom at.  For now, though, someone has turned her tears into silly grins.  She's turning 8 tomorrow and is just a little excited about it! 

This is one of my favorite pictures. :)