I fully intended on posting last week, and I’d been gathering articles and writing down ideas. Then Annie’s birthday party happened. Twelve girls spent the night at our house…notice I didn’t say, “slept,” because I’m pretty sure most of them didn’t. I know I didn’t! I am WAY. TOO. OLD. to stay up all night. I was a WRECK on Sunday, and I have needed the entire week to recover. Seriously! I honestly felt like I had a concussion, and was in a fog until yesterday. I told Annie that was her last sleepover party because I don’t think I could survive another one!

But you guys? Annie is NINE. How on earth did that happen?!?!

Around The ‘Net

~The Jayme Closs case: A chilling tale of murder, kidnapping and escape in rural America

~Is Sunscreen the New Margarine?

~A school shooter’s sibling asks: ‘Why did you do this?’

~These Atlanta neighbors no longer wanted to live on Confederate Avenue. Here’s what they did about it

~A toddler trapped in a teenager’s body

~Baseball Offered Millions to Entice Kyler Murray. But the Heisman Trophy Winner Wants Football.

~Babies wanted: Nordic countries crying for kids

~Twins get some ‘mystifying’ results when they put 5 ancestry DNA kits to the test

~Los Angeles Rams Team Custodian Gets Surprise of Lifetime With Tickets to Super Bowl LIII

~One couple’s tireless crusade to stop a genetic killer

~Superintendent Arrested For Allegedly Using Her Health Insurance To Cover Child’s Medicine

~To save the sound of a Stradivarius, a whole city must keep quiet

~Twins reunite after watching CNN film ‘Three Identical Strangers’

~The making and marketing of a 9-year-old meme machine

~Lin-Manuel Miranda Brings ‘Hamilton’ to a Troubled but Appreciative Puerto Rico

~The World’s First Robot Hotel Is Looking for a Few Good Humans

~Benefit’s New Campaign Ft. Kate Grant Marks A Huge Step For Inclusivity In Beauty

~The CPR Episode of The Office Just Saved Someone’s Life

Halfway Mark

I pointed out to Mike that, upon turning nine, Annie is halfway to adulthood. That’s so nuts to think about…and a little overwhelming, because there’s still sooooo much to teach her to make sure she becomes a functional adult! But, even though these last nine years have flown by (and I’m sure the next nine will, too), that’s still a decent chunk of time. Plus, what even IS a functional adult? I’m not sure I’m one and I’m almost forty, LOL.

Fun Stuff

~Annie got some great presents for her birthday. I think her favorite gift was a pair of Heelies, those horrifying shoes that have wheels in the heels. I say horrifying because watching her try to roll around in them makes me cover my eyes and wait for the inevitable trip o the emergency room.
~I gave Annie these tall black boots that I REALLY wish came in my size.
~She also received just about every single unicorn item of clothing that Target offers, LOL.
~I *love* the sports clothes that Justice sells. They make sports fashionable! Annie is all set with their softball line, and she has a few basketball items, too!

Happy Sunday, everyone!