Happy birthday to our big 8-year-old! You just keep growing and getting older every year. We tell you to stop, but you just don’t listen!
Over the past year you have done so well in school and even received an award for all 3’s the entire school year in the 1st grade (this is equivalent to all A’s). This year in 2nd grade, you are receiving real grades and currently have all A’s. You push yourself to do well and we’re so proud of you, Pumpkin. In addition to your school work, you are also very creative and quite the artist. You love to draw pictures of yourself and your sister doing things (singing, playing, dressing up, etc.)
You started taking voice lessons this year and you’ve really enjoyed it. Your singing has improved and you have your first recital in October. You are singing “Homeward Bound” and are nervous about singing in front of an audience, but you will be great! You have also expressed an interest in joining Cub Choir at school, which you will audition for in the coming weeks. In addition to voice lessons, you are still taking swim lessons and have progressed to level 6!
You joined a new girl scout troop this past year as a Daisy and have done so many fun and exciting things with this troop. You’ve made some new friends, sold a ton of cookies (with the badges to prove it), had a sleep over at Great Wolf Lodge, attended Pony Pal Camp where you learned how to ride a horse, and earned a ton of badges with each exciting event. At the end of the school year, you attended the bridging ceremony where you officially became a Brownie.
You are very inquisitive. You want to know about everything that is being said even if the conversation doesn’t involve you. You ask for an explanation on anything that you don’t understand and you will continue to push until you get an answer that satisfies you – ha! We love that about you and I hope you continue to be that way throughout your life. Seeking answers will only help you learn and understand the things that are happening in the world.
Along with being inquisitive, you also have a tendency to be bossy and demanding when things aren’t going your way or if someone isn’t doing what you’ve asked them to do. This particularly holds true when you are playing with your sister. Even when you’re bossy though, there is no doubt how much love you have for your sister. Many pieces of your artwork tend to be about your sister and you’ve made up math problems involving your sister. My heart melts when you tell each other “I love you”.
You have a very happy, fun, and outgoing personality. You make friends easily, as was evident at your birthday party this year of 15 kids. You love to dance, make people laugh, act silly, and play games on your tablet. You also love to have movie night in the media room, which is our typical Friday night routine. One of your favorite things to do is to watch Go Noodle videos on YouTube. Your favorite foods are strawberries, yogurt, BBQ meatloaf, chicken parmesan, pizza, and anything with chocolate.
The past 8 years have gone by way too fast, but you’ve made us so proud. We love you with all of our hearts and couldn’t imagine life without our girl. You’ve made our lives complete. Happy birthday, Pumpkin.
Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Maylin
