Amelia turned 9 in June

I cannot believe this kid is nine.  She is so dang cool and funny and creative that it sort of blows my mind.

Amelia has fallen in love with Dr. Seuss books, mostly because of their art, but I think secretly, she really likes the stories, too.  She was ecstatic to discover The Lorax book as one of her gifts.

But the highlight was this giant yellow Japanese import: Toad.  Oh my, was there a squeal of delight.

And a surprised Dylan.

She planned her birthday party this year.  It was a Mario Brothers-themed bowling party, complete with paper plates and cups and goody totes covered in Mario Bros. art.  

Amelia even made her cupcake into a bowling ball.

Here she is with her cousin Brooklyn.

And another cousin Abby.  Amelia wanted this to be a "girl" party and most of the cousins near her age are boys or don't live in the state, so these two girls were just about it.

Amelia did invite her brothers.  Dylan thought there were certainly a lot of girls bowling with him.  But he didn't seem to mind.

And Simon didn't mind one tiny bit.

Happy Day, Amelia!