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Birthday #2

aaaaannd, then the camera battery died...

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March is birthday month 'round these parts... 

First up is Four.  He turned 12.  {sigh..}

The night before a birthday, we celebrate with that year's last hugs and kisses.  (No more eleven year old hugs from this one..) 

Then comes 'the rite of passage'.

In order to pass from one year to the next, you must crawl through a family leg tunnel....

 where everyone 'helps push' you along into the next year..

 sometimes your siblings like to linger in the moment by trapping you..

 but it's all in good fun and you eventually get through,

So the next night you can have your cake,

 make your wish and blow out those candles...

{eta:  I'm giving Four extra points for style this year.  As I snapped away, he turned directly toward the camera to blow out his candles, all the while resting his head on his arm.  Methinks he's a bit used to the camera.}

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For all my military peeps out there, it's time to get yer theme park on.

As warmer weather approaches, whether it'd be spring break or summer, there are still theme parks out there with discounts for those active duty, reserve and retired military members.  So before you head out the door, check HERE.

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Recently she had her last meet before States.  The viewing area for each of the events wasn't that great... therefore neither are my shots.  

This is her... 'please lets get this thing goin' look..

 This is her after the judges give her 'the okay, git 'er goin'...

 {sigh..}I don't believe I'll ever tire of watching her do this on beam:

 Or this:

 This just flat out scares me a little...

 But then I'm glad to see her feet on the beam again.

 And, sad to say that these are the only other decent shots I got that day.     

 But they still put a smile on my face and make me one proud momma..

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TBT: 

This blog used to be called Five Monkeys and a Princess back in the day when we had five boys and only one girl.  After baby no. seven, who was also an estrogen american, came along, I changed the name to Five Monkeys, a Princess and a Pea.  (Sooo yeah, obviously I'm not so creative when it comes to blog names.)  Anyoldwho...  once we had baby eight, I changed the blog name again to it's present name Eight is Gr8.

But, as I was saying, it used to be Five Monkeys and a Princess.. and here is why....

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Happy Mardi Gras y'all!

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In the spirit of Mardi Gras tomorrow, I'm posting pics from our summer trip to...

We have lots of family in the Big Easy that we are fortunate enough to visit.  This tour was certainly one of the highlights of our last visit there.

For over 50 years, Blaine Kern Studios has been building these magical floats.. 

and fanciful creatures for Mardi Gras.

The tour starts off with a short video presentation, then it's off to the warehouse where you get to observe the artists in action. 

 Did you know that the figures are carved out of styrofoam?  Pretty amazing..

Aaand at the end of the tour, they cut you loose to walk/run amok among all these unbelievable creations...

You might even see a familiar face or two...

The detail is truly incredible...

So, if you are ever down in NOLA and want to get a sense of Mardi Gras, but it's just not that time of year, head to Mardi Gras World, where you can get up close and personal... and laissez les bons temps rouler!

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Sunday silence...

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Before he climbs into his bed the night before a 'big game' (because they all are when you're seven), he lays out his game-day clothing as such...

He actually prepares the same way for Mass each week.  He lays out his church shirt, followed by pants, socks and shoes.  He must have been a little excited for the 'big' game because he seemed to have mixed up the order a wee bit... even though he thought about adding a basketball to the mix.... oh, and his medal from last season.  I'd say he's ready...