Great Eight!

Nora really came into her own at seven, or rather, it became increasingly clear to the rest of us who she is. She is one to always have a bon mot (and has just enough French to know what that means), tends towards the silly, does not like it when you go off-script, is working on becoming a better loser, still likes a good cuddle, and really likes to shake her booty. Nora developed a core group of friends at school this year but kept her old friends close. She learned how to play the viola and how to do double-dutch. She boogey boarded for the first time. Nora discovered Zelda and Youtube. She had her First Communion and saw a total solar eclipse. In between, she wrote some plays, a few books, some questionable poetry, and a lot of songs.

We don't always know what Nora is going to do or say -- which makes living with her both exciting and at times exasperating -- but we know that it's something that will usually make you stop and think, and often smile (sometimes despite yourself). Happy birthday, baby girl, now have fun stormin' the castle.

1. "I'm not sure which is better: hunting a llama or having a llama."
2. We go high.
3. Sometimes you just need a disco dance party, even if it's in the bathroom.
4. Science is fun! Baseball, is more a matter of taste.
5. "I'll wrestle sharks tomorrow..."
6. Yippee-Kai-Yay.
7. "Thank you, thank you very much."
8. "This is the most amazing experience of my entire life! I have never seen anything as amazing as the solar eclipse!"
9. Buckethead: Two buckets; one head! 
10. Always remember, the "Importance of Balance."