You know they're eight-and-a-half when...

- The word Uranus produces eruptions of hysterical laughter and is clearly the funniest word in the solar system.

- They can run 350 laps around the basement and still have energy to spare.

- Sighing and eyeball rolling has begun.

- They begin playing practical jokes on their mother.  (Case in point:  I found a plastic Halloween spider in my sock drawer.  And yes, it made me jump).

- They can rake up the leaves and actually do a pretty good job at it (yay)!

- They start ordering from the adult menu at restaurants.

- They can throw a ball farther and better than I can.  (This is a little embarrassing).

- They still hug their Mama, but only when no one's looking.

-  They collect a fortune in tooth money.

-  Their Mama still thinks they're the cutest things on two legs.  (I suppose this will never change).