nine

This is Alex.  Today she is 9 years old.​

If I had to describe Alex using only three phrases, it would these three: 

keenly witty,
really smart, and
unfailingly kind. 

I would say these things in no particular order, since she's equal parts all of them.  And I'm pretty sure I would say this even if I wasn't her mom.

This year, when we were trying to figure out how to celebrate her birthday, she said, "Mom, I want it to be dark.  And I want there to be glowing lights."​

Um, okay, then. 

Slumber dance party it is.​

(It's amazing what a cheap disco ball and some glow sticks can do.)​

Happy birthday, Diva.  You glow brightest of them all.​

Song:  The 90 minute dance mix I made for Alex's party, by various artists.  I stuck a little Michael Jackson and Prince in there amongst all the One Direction and Selena Gomez.  You know, for educational purposes.​