Turning Eight

I am not sure if all parents face their kid’s birthdays with both excitement and some sadness but that’s the way I look at them. Not sad as in lonely but a little sad that they are growing up quickly and remembering what a great year and age has just passed. It is certainly exciting to see the anticipation in the eyes of your kids when they know they are getting older and can accomplish even more.

Erica turned eight recently. When she was younger (and seems to have passed this down to her younger sister), she started planning next year’s birthday the day after this one. That did not change this year either. This year (as in year’s past), there was a family birthday and a friend’s birthday. She loved each and every minute of it like she does most days of her life – excitement, hope and as always a reciting of the plan of “what I am going to be when I grow up”…the list does not get shorter it seems – scientist, actress, author, violin player, astronaut, Olympic swimmer…I am sure I have missed five others…but all of these are worth aspiring to and I know that I am looking forward to next year’s birthday as well and an update to the list of adult goals.

Happy Birthday Erica!!