It's a big day around here - Anna's 8th birthday! Here is the beautiful birthday girl, in the new dress Grandma sent: ("She always chooses the prettiest clothes for me.")




Quite possibly the most exciting part of this day for Anna is the fact that, FINALLY, she doesn't have to sit in a car seat anymore. Here she is in the car seat for the last time.



She was so happy to get rid of the thing. She took it out of the car...



Put it straight into the trash can...


And gave it a good shove:


I thought this was the finale of babyhood, but alas there is one remnant. We told her we would take her to the restaurant of her choosing for her birthday dinner. She originally chose Outback Steakhouse and I breathed a sigh of relief. I could appreciate dinner there. However, this morning she changed her mind. We will shortly be leaving for the restuarant of her choice... Chuck E. Cheese. We were unsuccessful in talking her out of it. My only hope is that she will realize she has outgrown the place and this will be our last time there. Well, her brother also has to think it is boring and the food stinks, otherwise we could end up there again in short order.

Happy Birthday Anna. You are my sunshine - even if you do make me eat at Chuck E. Cheese.