Kate got to get her ears pierced a little sooner than her 8th birthday.  Her cousin, Marissa, was turning 8 this past month, and she invited Kate to get her ears pierced with her.  Kate saw Marissa get hers pierced first, and got a little nervous when she saw Marissa's face turn red after they pierced her ears.  She even told me at one point she didn't want to do it after all.  After some persuading...

a chance to hold mom's hand...

and doubling up on the piercing (two girls pierced both her ears at the same time)...

 We gotter done. And she's extremely happy we did!!