Eight is Great!

     We recently celebrated Anneka's 8th birthday!  It's so fun to see how much she's growing and to watch her personality develop more and more each year.  We started celebrating the evening before her birthday, as we were invited to a wedding on her special day.  She was very gracious about flip flopping our plans around.  She requested crepes for dinner and we ate by candlelight.



     A few days prior, we had gone to a Smurf/Dinosaur musical (yes, it was an odd combination!), and they were selling balloons like this there for 100 rubles each.  The kids all wanted them, but I thought it was a waste of money and didn't get them.  We figured out how to make them at home, and Anneka (and Ella and Ike!) were so excited to see our apartment all decorated the next morning with these special balloons.

     Anneka's breakfast request was oatmeal and fruit smoothies.  She enjoyed her time of opening presents with the family, and then we set off to celebrate at a newer mall in the area....


     We picked up Anneka's friend, Christina, and the kids all had a great time!  They first played for an hour on a big indoor play place.  Then they were each allowed to choose 4 other games to play.  The girls rode on this simulator, in which they were moved around as they watched a screen where they were flying through caves. 


     Then we all rode on the bumper cars.  Anneka was so fast that all of the pictures of her are too blurry.  =)

Such fun!

... and a ride on the carrousel!

 

 Leif and Ike rode on motorbikes while the girls were in the simulator.

Then we enjoyed a lunch of pizza and chicken nuggets.

     Anneka had picked out her own cake, and was excited for us to sing to her and to blow out her candles.

     Then we all got dressed up and ready to head to the wedding.  This was when Ike was starting to feel yucky, so we didn't make him put on his tie.

     I took sick Ike and Ella home after the wedding to rest, and Leif and the girls went on to the reception.  They had a great time and danced the night away... well, until 11:00 or so.  Leif brought home a very tired but very happy birthday girl.

     Anneka, you are such a beautiful person- so fun and creative and full of life!  We see an increasing desire in you to love God and to show His love to others. You have such a sweet and sensitive spirit.  It is such an honor to be your parents and to have you in our lives.  We love you!!