more party than slumber

I started this blog knowing that I wouldn't be able to keep up with it daily, and perhaps not always weekly, but yikes--has it already been over a month since I've been back here?  Have I mentioned that time is flying?

So of course there are now lots of events and happenings (from the late summer) that I want to record, and they will just have to be retrospective since I've neglected this little blog for the last several weeks.

In early July, Madison got her wish for a her first-ever slumber party and invited over a handful of her dearest buddies to celebrate her 8th birthday.  They are all incredibly sweet girls and were so happy to reunite after many weeks apart during the summer.  The laughter, squeals, and innocent but incessant chattiness of 8 year olds were such a pleasure for me to witness.  I've not had that many girls here all at once and was unsure of what to expect, but I had no need to worry.  They all got along beautifully, welcomed a very eager Caroline into the fold, and kept me laughing throughout the night.

Some highlights....

Everyone seemed to love dancing to (and singing karaoke with) our Disney CD, which has selected songs from some Disney movie favorites.

And while these girlies might be past the "princess" stage, they are most definitely still way into dressing up...just in more comical and creative ways now

Since they attend an arts magnet school (and since they are little girls!), dance seems to be a central theme of much of what they do.  Here's a shot of their re-enacting the "Jai Ho" flash mob from last spring (note the five year old who is front and center and ready to learn).

Of course there was cake.  Per Madison's request, we went for an under the sea theme, with funfetti cake and chocolate icing.  "Mommy, can you make me a cake this year?  I don't really like the icing from bakeries."  Okay, sweet girl...but cake decorating is absolutely not my strong suit.

And what is a slumber party without popcorn and a movie?   Again, I was a little surprised at how excited they all were to see Disney's "Tangled."

Also surprising, these talkative and energetic gals did not take all that long to get settled down for a pretty good night's sleep.  I only had to intervene once to confiscate the headlamp that one of them had brought and flipped on--it was like a lighthouse in our otherwise dark living room!

The next morning was a bit quieter.  Time for prayer before breakfast.  So sweet...

And we even got to squeeze in the tie-dyeing activity we just hadn't gotten to the night before.

 I'm grateful that Madison is surrounded by such precious girls.  My prayer is that she will always find good and godly girls to call her friends, and that she will be blessed by deep and meaningful friendships as she grows.