Halfway to 18… my sweet first born is NINE years old today. How? Wasn’t she just looking like this…

or this…

or this…

But now we’ve blinked, made so many wonderful memories, and now our sweet girl looks like this.

And sweet might be the perfect word to describe her, as our Hailey bug has a heart of gold. She’s incredibly tuned into others’ emotions and cares for those she loves deeply. She’s creative, imaginative, and artistic. She is responsible and likes to follow the rules and be clear on expectations. She sometimes laughs so hard that tears roll down her face. She likes to snuggle and watch movies. She has great penmanship and a knack for writing. She sometimes takes on the role of being a third parent in the household. She loves to play Barbies and dress up with her sister. She is careful and likes to fully understand something before jumping in. She’s tall and fast on the soccer field. She’s a little shy at first but once she lets you in you get to see her in all her silly and happy glory. 

On the morning of her birthday, Kaitlyn woke up at 7:00 (a full hour before her usual wake up time) and came bouncing down the stairs squealing from excitement. They share such a special bond and I’m so grateful for the love they have for each other.

We began her special day by by blasting HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS and dancing around the kitchen when she walked through the golden foil curtain into the kitchen that morning. She gets a little shy with the spotlight on her, but it’s still fun to do it sometimes.

Most of the day was quite simple. We vacuumed out the car (her request because it was too grassy from soccer cleats). We visited a park, took a nature walk, got Whole Foods sushi and sat outside to eat and read stories. We went by Old Navy for her to pick out a new outfit for the beach.

Back at home she had her best friend from the time she was three months old stop by, face-timed with family, and bounced around the house trying her best to wait until David got home so we could do presents. Finally he did! I sent them on a short walk to fulfill her one birthday request- a present scavenger hunt. I hid nine presents (before you think she was completely spoiled- one was Kaitlyn’s old Tae Kwon Do belt and felt hearts that she had wrapped up for Hailey) around the house with little clues to each. 

She and Kaitlyn came back giddy, tore through the clues, and collected all the gifts to open in the kitchen. It was a fun time chasing them around the house and listening to their giggles. The present that got the best immediate reaction was probably the Harry Potter chocolate frogs that were wrapped and hidden in the fridge!

After presents were opened, the girls got into playing with the new stuff while I made dinner. Hailey requested Greek salad (truly her favorite food) and Greek meatballs. After eating, we went straight for dessert: dirt pie with sour gummy worms! I can’t blame her on this choice, it is quite delicious. 

We sang happy birthday, devoured some dirt, played while I cleaned up the kitchen, then ended up all cuddled in the playroom reading bedtime stories, as both girls were fading fast by 8:30. My favorite part of the day might have been after she was tucked into bed. At 8:49 PM I heard her door open. She poked her head out and announced: “Mom! I’m officially nine now.” with a big ‘ol smile on her face. She was born at 8:49 PM and apparently had been waiting for the moment all day. Sweet girl. We sure do love her lots!

I am honored to have a front row seat to watching this special girl grow. The world needs more hearts like hers and I’m so grateful she is ours!

• Day in the Life: Hailey just turned 8
• Hailey at 7 years old
• Hailey at 6 years old
• Hailey at 5 years old
• Hailey at 4 years old
• Hailey at 3 years old
• Hailey at 2 and a half
• Hailey at 2 years old
• Hailey at 1 year old
• Hailey at 8 months old
• Hailey’s birth story part one and part two