Baby is eight! And we still call her Baby. Haha. My mom had a friend who was the fourth kid, and her family all called her Babe. They still called her Babe well into her 80s. I imagine this will be the same thing with Baby. She’s Vaile to some but Baby to most. Whomever she is, she celebrated eight years in early October.
Insert all the things about how she’s an amazing kid and we’re so proud of her! Baby marches to the beat of her own drum and is beyond curious, asking question after question, usually insightful questions. I wish my brain was a creative as hers. I can’t wait to see what she’s like as she gets older. I’m convinced she’s going to become some high-powered attorney or brain surgeon. We’re so used to her being so imaginative and crazy in her own way. A total outdoors kid. When we go pick up Maive from preschool, she literally runs back and forth, over and over. She needs to be outside and move her body at all times. She’s the best!
Friday night, before her actual birthday, we had a party at Vertex Arena. She was dead set on having her birthday there and thankfully we checked it off her list, because they just closed. Apparently temporarily until they find a new space but who knows. Blaise had his party there when he turned 12. It’s an expensive party, I’m not happy they closed for their sake, but I’m glad we won’t be paying for parties there anymore.
Baby had a blast! They all jumped and whatnot, and then we had pizza and cupcakes in the party room upstairs. Thankfully there wasn’t another party going on upstairs because our party was loud and rowdy, and filled with birthday excitment on a Friday night. I didn’t get many pictures, other than Baby blowing out her candle and the chaos of gift opening.
The party itself was great. The aftermath, not so great. Brian’s mom was visiting, and she was sick. Allergies or whatever. Nope, she was sicker than she let on, and we’re pretty sure she gave Covid to many of the partygoers. Had we known anything about this, we would not have had her go to the party (or stay with us). Brian and two other dads fell sick Monday, and then a mom, and then we all caught Covid. We lost an entire week having to isolate. I’m still upset with the whole Covid thing. I don’t necessarily hold grudges but I’m not pleased with anyone who visits families sick, let alone with Covid. Ugh. I caught Covid but never had any symptoms, and I had to stay home. There went my yoga retreat the following weekend, with no refund. Brian kept asking his mom to test the week after she left, because she had left our house and stayed with others. She didn’t test at first but when she did, Covid. Shocker. Maybe I’m still a bit bitter. The whole situation could have been avoided if there had been some responsibility. I digress. Can’t change the past, but Brian and I are on the same page about anyone visiting us sick moving forward.
Baby’s birthday was on a Saturday this year, and that meant all things sports. We had no idea Covid was on the horizon. Brian’s mom left early before all the things. I think she was feeling pretty awful and left so we wouldn’t know. We truly had no idea she was as sick as she was. On to Saturday!
Blaise was playing football, Saige had cheer, Laine has practice Saturday mornings, and Baby was playing soccer. Baby was excited for her soccer game—not only was it her birthday, we were also the snack family. I had asked if we could be the snack family since it was her birthday. Turns out you can call ahead to the grocery store and ask them to create boxes of donuts. We needed four dozen, because we knew there’d be siblings and parents at the game. And who doesn’t like a good donut?! We took bananas and juice boxes also. I can’t remember if they won the soccer game but who cares, it was Baby’s birthday so nothing could put a damper on that!
The day went fast, having to move from sport to sport. Back at home after all the things, we celebrated Baby as a family. Like we always do. Dinner, cake, and presents. She’s all about TMNT right now, hence the cake and look she has going on. I absolutely love how Baby is her own person, living in her own world. Sometimes I wish I lived in her world.
Not a bad way to celebrate eight years! Next birthday she becomes a tween, and she’s not happy about this.
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