How can it be?!? It is really so unbelieveable to me that Hadley is nine. She seems so grown up in so many ways but also still like my little girl. And as much as I love the friend she has become and all our conversations, it pains me a little when I look back on pictures a few years back and really think about never getting that age with her again. We have a blast together! She is happy 99% of the time making my job as a mom pretty darn easy.
These pics are before bed the last night as an 8 year old! She is silly as she typically is when I ask her to take a picture. In fact, I never got one normal one. Hudson did squeeze in for a few big hugs before getting in bed for the night.
Hadley's birthday fell on a Tuesday so we made sure she got up in time for some present opening before Daddy and I left for work. As much as I hated working, we had fun plans for the day and she was extra excited to get to spend the day with Mama and Papa! She was so excited to open her presents...
Hadley found this backpack/doll carrier at Silver Dollar City and begged for it. We finally convinced her that she didn't need it only for me to run back in the store and buy it while Matt kept her preoccupied. It was fun to pull off a big surprise because she had no idea she was getting it and obviously hadn't given up on wanting it either!
It's been months of begging for a Kendra Scott necklace and although I think she knew she was getting it, she was still super excited to put it on!
Hadley's biggest present was her trampoline that her daddy worked so hard to suprise her with. Of course, she got it about a week early when we got home from Hilton Head but she had absolutely no idea it was coming! Such a fun surprise! Here is a fun video of her getting it...
We opened more gifts and I left for work. But thankfully I had a two hour lunch and had plans to pick Hadley up for lunch. When I got to Mama's house she was all ready to go! We got in the car and her restaurant of choice...Taco Bell! Someday she will look back at this and think "REALLY? OF ALL PLACES!" But we had fun. The lady at the counter found out it was her birthday and gave Hadley all sorts of free food, desserts, and a shake. Hadley was in heaven and we laughed and talked all through lunch!
Afterwards we went to the mall to pick out some birthday clothes. She also got some clothes for her upcoming Kanakuk trip! We had so much fun shopping together and spending some girl time together.
Hadley had a softball game that night and Mama and Papa surprised her with some cookies to take to her teammates. I think it turned out to be a pretty fun birthday!
We continued the celebration on Wednesday when all the family came over for birthday cake and presents. She got spoiled a little more with some really fun presents including American Girl outfits, an American girl bed, money, and OSU clothes. We sang happy birthday and had fun night celebrating our favorite 9 year old!
Things I don't want to forget about our sweet girl...
-Hadley loves her friends. She is super social and loves to be around just about anyone at anytime. She has a next door neighbor that is crazy about her and Hadley is willing to play with her at 6 years old just to keep from playing by herself.
-That being said, she loves to be around us as well and really just wants to hang out with anyone. She still loves to cuddle, loves hugs, and loves sleeping right by me.
-She loves back rubs...and won't ever turn one down.
-She loves getting pretty and dressing up but doesn't love me fixing her hair. Thankfully, she has the kind of hair that stays pretty all day!
-She has started sneaking a little make-up and always wants her nails painted.
-She still loves waking up early (about 6:30) but is so easy to get in bed! I never have to ask her twice....sounds a little like her mommy!
-She has gotten a little pickier with eating but she will try absolutely anything. She may not like it but at least she will try it.
-She doesn't love to read but has gotten so much better. She really just doesn't want to sit still that long!
-She did amazing in school this year and got all A's all year long. Her spelling and handwriting are incredible and she is super creative. She can spell out loud without writing it down and only had one spelling test that she didn't get a 100 or higher. Her teacher even told me she has better handwriting than any second grader she had ever had. She is also so good at math and it comes pretty natural to her. The subject she doesn't like...history. Again, I feel like this is because she hates sitting still and having to memorize stuff.
-Hadley is a people watcher. I often have to remind her not to stare but its really that she is just so curious at what everyone is doing.
-She is so funny and always making her friends laugh. In fact, most of her friends are always commenting on how funny she is.
-And going back to her being social, she doesn't want anyone to feel left out and would ask absolutely anyone to come play with her!
-She loves to swim and hates being hot. So if there isn't a body of water around in the 100 degree heat, she would rather be inside.
-She isn't the most responsible person with material possessions, yet (hopefully). I can't count how many things she has lost or misplaced so we are working hard at getting better at that!
-She is still extremely athletic. If she had enough heart to practice all the time she could be soooo good. She is excellent at softball and dance but doesn't really care enough about basketball and golf right now to practice it.
-Her favorite food is pizza though she has quite the sweet tooth as well.
-She is still the best big sister. She has definitely lost a little patience with Hudson and sometimes he does not deserve her moodiness but for the most part they are pretty awesome friends. They bicker like normal brothers and sisters but she loves that he sleeps in her room and she will play pretend with him ANY time he wants.
-We absolutely got the best daughter ever and I wouldn't change one thing about her. She is the most gorgeous girl I have ever seen but most of all, her heart is even prettier. She is loving and thoughtful and has such a sweet personality that never wants to disappoint us.
WE LOVE YOU, HADLEY BROOKE and you will always be our baby girl!
