maddie's 9th birthday

We had all the local family over for dinner...which meant 11 adults, 4 kids and a baby.

Homemade lasagna and Caesar salad was Maddie's request.

Me bringing in the cake--no-bake pumpkin cheesecake (posted the recipe here).

Maddie is always the best for photos of blowing out candles.

Ever since she was little, she's had trouble blowing out candles. It always takes her a few tries no matter how close together I place the candles.

Hurray! Success!

Some of the family gathered 'round the table.

Maddie's birthdays are some of the funnest, because she has the best responses to gifts.

See what I mean?

Little Duke was a stinker and refused to go to bed until the end...which was about 9:30pm. Talk about crashing. 

It was a wonderful birthday for Maddie, and, as we told her, it's her last year in the single digits. Next year it's DOUBLE DIGITS. Whoa!

Maddie at 9:
- Knows how to bake our family's favorite Breakfast Cake by herself
-Loves helping me in the kitchen and wants to learn to cook and bake more herself
-Loves taking piano lessons
-Is a very natural "mother's helper" to me with the babies
-Is very kind to Maisie and Duke and enjoys occupying them
-Is doing very well at school
-Hops from one craft or activity to another, not too many favorites but loves to try new things all the time
-Has way more creative ideas than time to complete
-Enjoys reading the Bible
-Likes sewing and crafting
-Loves live theater
-Loves to perform and present
-Gets excited about just about everything
-Generally cheerful, easy-going, and up for trying new things