The youngest step-girl is eight years old today. EIGHT. I don’t want to believe it, but since I watched her turn three, then four, then five, then six, and FINALLY, a staggering seven. Well, that leaves us with eight. Eight is GREAT. Unless you are the adult that thinks your kid shouldn’t be eight, shouldn’t be ten, and shouldn’t be twenty! Sheesh! Not only that but her birthday is my husband’s half-birthday. He is HALF-WAY to 40! I know I shouldn’t stumble over that one, but my young husband is half-way to forty! I’m the older one…he is entering my decade???

This year for Bri’s birthday we settled on two GIANT gifts. What she decided on? Moon sand (because she really didn’t think she would get a kitty). And what she asked for? To visit Candy World at the mall (because she really didn’t think she would get a trampoline in her backyard).

But she did get what she REALLY wanted. I think?!?!

Regardless, our house got a new furry family member and pretty good-size play thing in the middle of our grass.

But first…

Meet Mya Madeline Violet – a six-week old black and white sweetheart.

She is almost as cute as the birthday girl.

We left the house that morning where Bridget was on lock-down in her room while construction happened in the backyard (trampoline).

As we were driving, she recognized the street of the place wherethekittieslive. I tried to tell her all the kitties were given away. But when we pulled up, I couldn’t lie, and admitted we might see if just one was left.

Of course, all three were there and had just turned six weeks old. I had my heart set on a grey tabby and was willing to make sure that one went home with us. However, as fate would have it, tabby would have nothing to do with us. She hissed and arched her little fuzzy back. I figured if she was this freaked out about Bridget, what would happen with FOUR dogs?

So, tabby stayed there and Mya not-scared-of-anything went home with us.

We had to stop at Petsmart since kitty had no potty, no food, and no bed at our place. We hooked da kitty up!

Then we headed home. As soon as Bridget walked in the front door, she could see the back yard.

Seeing the enormous trampoline for the first time shocked her senseless (luckily she held onto the kitty). By her reaction you would think we had built a circus back there. She freaked and then ran outside to show her Dad and sister her birthday kitty.

I made her give up the kitty (for a second) so she could have the inaugural jump on her birthday trampoline (pretty cool present as we split the cost with the girl’s mom).

And what can I say about this kitty? She is so sweet and brave. I must say we picked the best of the bunch. This little gal does not mind little hands holding her, nor carting her all around the house.

She does not mind dogs sniffing at her nether parts and following behind her to poke their nose into her hidey holes (Anna).

Nothing seems to phase her. She purrs when she is picked up. She eats and uses her litter box. She turns her nose up at the dogs. Sometimes, she tries to chase their tails (photos coming!). She likes to sit on our shoulders and watch TV.

She is the most chill cat. She reminds me so much of my B&W cat Gidjet (gone too soon). And by that I mean, she is perfect for a full house of dogs and kids.

We went on to celebrate with cake and ice cream. Bridget wanted a fancy cake. This was the fanciest one we could find (and the baker recommended it). Her eyes got so big and she couldn’t believe Dad listened to her and found the fanciest (lol).

This cake was super delicious.

And maybe a little too fancy for the kids. Heh.

Eight years of age. Eight years of watching her grow taller and thinner, wiser and more fun. She can finally match her sister wit for wit. And this girl won’t back down.

I think she had a pretty special birthday.

Happy Birthday, Bridget!! You do eightness with greatness.