We loved celebrating our new 8 year old yesterday! I started my account and blog a year or so after he was born since we were using the paternity leave Dan received (a first for us!) to visit Europe and … Read More
There’s almost nothing I loathe more than realizing a kid has a birthday party to attend that afternoon and being stressed to run around to a shop while trying to manage a busy day. Years ago, I decided to purchase … Read More
Another year, another reminder to please try to be thoughtful in your purchases and not just buy because things are on sale! Like many of you, we try to focus on experiences over things, but there are certain items that … Read More
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Paris with kids, without, and in every season. Every visit to Paris is magic AND there was something extra special about having a spring girls’ trip to Paris. If you’re looking for a more … Read More
I remember the first few trips traveling with kids and wondering how anyone possibly manages all the kids and all the needs and all the STUFF. There’s a lot, lol. But everyone’s right that it really does get easier with … Read More
We have a family tradition of birthday trips at certain ages. You can read more about this tradition here. Recently I took K to Athens for her 12th birthday. And this year, I got to take T to Japan! Japan … Read More
These are our favorite, tried-and-true travel gear and home life items that have stood the test of time. With 8 people in our home or when we travel, we try to only purchase items that are really worth their cost … Read More
Olive pants are one of my favorite staples for all seasons! (Here’s some fall travel outfit inspiration with them.) I love that the color feels earthy but more interesting than jeans, and they’re WAY more travel friendly because they’re not … Read More
The Isle of Skye is absolutely stunning and has a great mix of outdoor adventures and peaceful escapes that make for the perfect family vacation for all ages. Kids can explore tide pools, run through open landscapes, and look for … Read More
Dan and I have had a trip to the Azores high on our bucket list for ages, so I was surprised and delighted when Dan gifted me a trip for the two of us (thanks to some lovely friends babysitting, … Read More
We absolutely love Paris! We’ve traveled with and without kids, for short trips and longer, and every time it’s magical. We have had a wonderful experience every time we’ve gone, despite it not typically being known as a family travel … Read More
I love putting together kids Easter baskets, but try to only fill them with things we’d be purchasing anyway and that are addressing upcoming summer needs. It’s always a great chance to find a few useful items I know will … Read More
We loved celebrating our new 8 year old yesterday! I started my account and blog a year or so after he was born since we were using the paternity leave Dan received (a first for us!) to visit Europe and I wanted to share our experience. It’s absolutely wild to me that he’s getting so big and is no longer that little traveling baby!
As our 4th kiddo, A doesn’t need much in terms of everyday basics, but it was still really fun to celebrate him with a few fun gifts and activities. We spent the day having a special breakfast (pancakes), playing at the park and having ice lollies with friends, having pizza for dinner (pineapple and olive, his favorite) followed by lemon drizzle cake, and reading books/watching a show. He loved being in school with his friends, and then home with his fam, and it was the perfect low-key day. We can’t wait to continue the celebrations with a party in a couple weeks!
In addition to the super sweet cards and sweets that his siblings gave him, here are some of the presents we got him that he loved opening over dinner.
A loves an afternoon tea – all the sweets and fun atmosphere are right up his alley. He’s been wildly into Harry Potter this year (he just finished the series a couple weeks ago), so I knew he’d be absolutely thrilled to go to a special wizard-themed afternoon tea experience with Mom & Dad.
A’s only birthday request was a Hogwarts throw pillow for his bed. My sister has one from decades ago that he saw when we were visiting my mom this past summer, and he was so excited about it that he requested his own. He was absolutely thrilled!
I’ve had my eye on this game for a while, and I think A will absolutely love it. I’m a big fan of short games for some quick fun and connection time before bed or running out the door. It’s created by the same people as Exploding Kittens (which he – and we – LOVE), and he was super excited about it. We can’t wait to play it together!
I always gift my kids a book for their birthdays, Christmas, and Easter – I hope that by the time they’re adults, they’ll have their own little special little collection of books chosen just for them that they can take with them when they leave home.
A has been an absolutely voracious reader the last year or so, and like I mentioned, has been especially into Harry Potter. Somehow, our family has never read this book, but the premise seems like something he’d love with mystery and kids saving the day. I’ve heard such wonderful things about it and will probably borrow it to read myself when he’s done!
Speaking of mysteries and puzzles, I’ve heard such good things about this puzzle book and it has fantastic reviews. I think A is the absolute perfect age for it, and bet it’ll be a hit to take along on various travel adventures, too. He was super excited to get started on this!
My sister and her family sent A a gift card to Daunt Books, a super lovely bookshop near us. He was so excited to be able to choose his own book soon!
Some friends will join him for a party in a couple of weeks, but one did give him this game. It was so thoughtful and perfect for our family – can’t wait to play it at home and when on the move!
Baptism Gifts
In addition to his birthday gifts, A will get a few gifts in honor of choosing to be baptized in a few weeks. In our church, children may choose if they would like to get baptized when they turn eight years old, and there are a few gifts that we hope help him in his spiritual learning and journey.
We loved celebrating sweet 8 year old! And hope these help if you have a kiddo this age, too. Do you have any favorite 8 year old birthday gifts for boys or girls? I’d love to hear as we have a couple more 8 year olds to celebrate in the future!
