Happy Birthday, Dear Punchy

Hey, Punchy! If you're reading this post sometime in the future--if you somehow come across it--allow me to recount the details of your eighth birthday:

• You woke at 7:30 to the scent of brownies baking. One of two big pans I cut into hearts and flowers using metal cookie cutters.
• You got to school early for your Wednesday morning gymnastics class that starts at 8:10. You wore the beautiful silver birthstone necklace Auntie and Don gave you.
• You wore the wonderful shirt Ms. Warren gave you, and your favorite gray gymnastics pants. Ms. Warren is your beloved aide and best advocate at school.
• I came in to the classroom at about 2:30 with strawberries, a jug of water and the brownies. Your classmates and you were very sweet. They sang Happy Birthday.
• I drove you home, and we stopped in town to get wine for the adults coming over tonight and pretty party plates for the pizza and cupcakes/brownies we served in our dining room.
• You wanted to stop in the cute kids' shoe store in town. I agreed. You tried on black ballet flats, high-top purple Converse, metallic silver Birkenstocks. You finally settled on a really cute pair of slip-on canvas sneakers in a bright print. We got a pack of bright socks, too.
• We went to Montclair Stationery and you picked out colorful plates. We chose football stickers for Stephen and firetruck stickers for William as favors. We had a pair of lacy white anklets for Baby Catherine and pretty little bracelets for you, Nikki, River and Figgy [who is coming to see you tomorrow]. 
• I put another pan of brownies in the oven--because that's the "cake" you wanted tonight--and then drove you to gymnastics [late]. We left H. to take the brownies out at 5:30.
• Friends came over at 6:30--Aunt Moey, the Kretz family with baby girl, Mr. & Mrs. and Nikki Mernin, River and her Mom. We had pizza from Villa Victoria, fresh blueberries, lemon water, Cupcakes by Carousel and those brownies. We sang Happy Birthday.
• You got lovely gifts. We got you some sewing stuff--a mermaid to sew, a gift card to the sewing store, some quilting squares. Figgy called you today. So did Grandma Mary, Mimi, Auntie. The Byrams sent flowers from Maine! And you got a special delivery to our door of glittery carnations with a Hello Kitty necklace from the cats and the girls at Bartlett's Greenhouse!!!!!!! Wow!!!!!!!!! Your Mom texted to say she sent an e-card with a recording from her.
• We're all tired now. You're sound asleep. I'm about to follow, after I take the trash out. Good night.
• May your birthday always bring you joy and the warm, cozy feeling of knowing you are loved and cherished. You, Punchy, make the world a much better place. We are so thankful for you. May you live long and well and enjoy many, many birthdays. You are a wonderful girl. Keep the faith. Stay strong. 

TCOY

1. Boot camp.
2. Salon blowout.