She's 9!

After Cora's Big Birthday Weekend, we still wanted to make her actual birthday on Tuesday feel special.

She wasn't thrilled about having to go to school, but Daddy went into work late so he could stay home and make a birthday breakfast of crepes.

We also let her open her cards, and a couple of presents in the morning.

Stace made Cora a birthday card with a 3-D drawing of Jedi Mickey Mouse, with a light saber. Yes, that was a bit of foreshadowing for her birthday gift!











At lunchtime, I picked up Cora from school and took her to In-N-Out for a burger, fries AND a shake, a very special treat for the birthday girl.

This was the first time I've ever taken her out of school for lunch, and it was lovely to spend time with her like this.

Our after-school period was busy, with Violet's tennis lesson and Cora's softball practice. Cora passed out doughnut holes to her teammates, and then we headed over to Stone Fire for a birthday meal.

Auntie Mel and Grandma and Grandpa met us there, and we all ate well. Auntie Mel gave Cora this Star Wars T-shirt and the tiny Marie Tsum-Tsum stuffed animal you see on the table.

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Grandpa and Grandma gave Cora this hardcover "ultimate" guide to Star Wars, a big hit, as you can see.

And there you have it.

Cora has entered her final year of single-digits, a big girl in every way. She is becoming more independent and more grownup, and we are so proud of the young lady she is.