Another Year Where it's Great to Be 8!

A few days before Claire's actual birthday she had a few friends over for a party.  She chose a Hawaiian theme, and I was happy to oblige because I like to pretend I'm in Hawaii anytime I can. Here she is with our pin-the-coconut-on-the-coconut-tree game.

 One of our fun coconut trees.

 We started the party off by filling little containers with colorful sand.

All of their creations

 Crazy game of pop the coconut!

 Claire taking her turn coconut bowling.

Time for a treat! Smoothies, cupcakes, and a couple varieties of fish (swedish and goldfish crackers:))

 Fun group of girls:  Audrey, Amelia, Izzie, Lizzie, Claire, and Annie.

 Opening gifts.

 Pass the hula hoop. We also played, Upset the Fruit Basket...Pineapples, Coconuts, and Bananas.  Most the girls had never played and thought it was lots of fun.

Claire's birthday happened to land on MLK Jr. Day so we didn't have school.  After a breakfast of crepes, we headed to Wal-Mart to pierce those ears! She was very brave and frankly looks quite adorable with her diamondy studs.

 It seems like yesterday we brought this little ruby-lipped human home from the hospital.  She truly is a joy to raise...very thoughtful, kind, and funny.

 Here's her beachy cake. Not exactly what she had in mind, but I'm not pinterest.

 New snorkel gear.

 Some pens she's been wanting.

A snow cone machine.  Sometimes I think I must be a real sucker when I birthday shop.  She thinks it's pretty awesome though.