9.

This girl is halfway to 18, and it's making my heart hurt a little.  

She is creative, smart, affectionate, thoughtful, introverted, tender-hearted, silly. These days she loves reading, gymnastics, telling jokes, and doing messy science experiments. She's as tall as my shoulder, and I'm cherishing these days where she still wants nothing more than to hang out with mom and dad.

Her birthday was the first day of summer vacation, and she was happy to sleep in, eat pancakes & bacon, and laze around the house all day. 

 

 

Her birthday request was going to Vins with Papa & Mimi, so they came up for the day, and brought Rosalie.  It was a perfect day. :)

 

Sleepover complete with science experiments, hammock swinging, and chocolate chip pancakes at bedtime. :)