So what you're saying is.....there's a CHANCE...

Yesterday was Alpha's 8th birthday! I can't believe it's been 8 years since I became a mother. They said the time would go fast and they would grow up quickly. I believed them. I just didn't realize how FAST and QUICK time really would go.

We had a good little family party with presents and ice cream. (no cake, per her request) She got some Hannah Montana sheets, iCarly pajamas, Girl Tech Sugar Cubes jewelry (which is really pretty cool), and her beloved Polly Pocket Designables Mall! She connected the two Designables to it and they all light up together! Joy! She also got a new bike, as you can see in the picture.

But the absolute BEST part of her birthday......was when she won THE CRANE!

We were at Toys R Us buying her bike. While I was checking out, she was looking at that infernal crane machine. You know the one. It has "the claw" outfitted with the smoothest metal pinchers you've ever seen, and lots of round-headed stuffed animals. She asked me if, since it was her birthday, she could have 50 cents to do the crane. I said ok.

SHE WON!!!!!

The first and only time she has ever tried the crane and SHE WON!! She got a flourescent orange mouse that she named "Whiskers". She was so excited on the way home. She ran to tell her Daddy when he showed up. To top things off, today at school they had to write a paragraph describing their favorite toy. What did she write about? The orange mouse! That's right! All the birthday presents, all the toys, all the expense and hunting and deciding. And her favorite toy is some 50 cent stuffed animal she got out of a carnival machine! ARGH!!!!

But at least she's happy. :)