Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Darcy's 4th birthday








































Oh Darcy, my sweet girl. You are such a darling delight. I feel so lucky to be your mom. You are so generous with your love to me. You so happy about so many things in life. You are fun and funny. You are goofy and can talk so seriously. You are such a good talker. I love hearing what you come up with. 
At four years old you love dresses and the color pink. You love to play with any toy that anyone else is playing with. Not to take it from them, but you just love playing with other kids. You loved playing with Claire that whole summer. Sometimes you can be little bossy with playmates, but I think you are more aware than you used to be about it. You and Holland are best friends and love to play together. I am so happy for you that she will play with you so much event though you're five years apart. 
Your favorite way to play by yourself kind of drives me crazy. I like to keep things nice and organized so it is easy to find the things you want to play with and to put them away at the end. But you love to mix things up. You put anything and everything in purses and bags and then put those in other purses or bags or boxes. It is impossible to keep things organized with you around! What kills me is how many things you tuck away that aren't toys, including containers of food from the refrigerator and books overdue at the library. Good thing you are so cute, because you are killing me kid! 
Sometimes you play by narrating stories out loud to yourself which is pretty dang cute. I love your imagination. You have kind of followed Holland's lead by being interested in what she is interested in. You love dragons, teddy bears, and legos. You love dancing and cheering on your sisters. You love to hear stories being read to you. In fact you have developed a love of audiobooks, which is fun, but I think it making you less willing to learn how to read. Whoops! 
You are still doing reading lesson and preschool at home though. I am proud of how much you are learning. I sometimes am concerned that I baby you too much and don't make you work as much as your older sisters did at your age (which I am sure is true), but I think you are going to work out just fine too. :) 
At four years old you weighed 31.3 lbs which is the 22%. You are 39 inches tall which is the 42%. This puts your BMI at 14.39 which is the 18%. You would never know by your tiny little body that you are such an eater. You want snacks all day long. You love milk, bananas, and toast maybe the most. 




What is your favorite vegetable?
Tomatoes

What is your favorite breakfast food?
Oatmeal actually pancakes and waffles

What is your favorite dessert/treat?
Candy. All kinds of candy. I like lollipops the best.

What is your favorite restaurant?
The one in South Dakota. I mean the one in Costa Rica. We drove in a fancy car there. It was by lots of warm pools. It is actually at the resort with the turtle pool. (In Tortuguero)

What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, because I LOVE presents. I especially loved Poppy on my birthday. I liked the birthday when I was turning four because that is the day I got Poppy. 

What is your favorite stuffy?
Poppy because she is so cute. She is especially cute when she wears my glasses. I am glad you don't joke against her. She doesn't like being joked. 

What are some of your favorite things to do?
That's easy. Swim in a pool. A turtle pool. Lighting candles. I like when we have a candle bath. Playing with my light up pigs. 

What is your favorite thing to do with Holland, Miriam, Eliza?
Kissing them. 

Who is your best friend?
Oh that's easy, Brielle. 

Who are some other friends you like to hang out with?
Marta--she's nice. Preschool people (Cyrus and Jack). Samuel--I like that we went on an adventure with him. 

What’s your teacher’s name?
Sometimes I do it with Cyrus's mom and Jack's mom, and Mommy especially. You already did preschool with me once. 

What is your favorite thing to learn? 
I don't think anything comes to mind right now. 

What activities do you participate in?
Preschool, playing. I don't think chores because today I kind of struggled. I definitely participate in MCO now. I don't crawl on the floor anymore. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?
An artist. Actually a penguin. 

Who do you admire and why?
Mommy, because I like your kisses and hugs. 

What do you like to sleep with at night?
Bearby, Poppy of course. 

What are you scared of?
Bears, I wasn't scared of the bears at Bear Country because they didn't try to stomp towards us. I am scared of foxes. I am not scared of dragons because I haven't seen one and they are not real. Actually I have, but it was in a book. It was in Dragon Master book 1, do you know what it is called? Rise of the Earth Dragon. 

Where is your favorite place to go?
Probably to the beach. We have been to the beach before, haven't we? It is that part of the forest when we traveled to the beach. It was on a trip. It was on a trip when I tripped my knees a lot. At least I think it was. Oh Mommy I remember things that are very far away from here. 

If you could go anywhere on a trip right now, where would you go?
To see turtles hatch. Because I saw turtles lay eggs. I just wish I could do that! 

What would you do if you had a million dollars?
Spend it on a pet penguin that was real but I would have to go fishing everyday to feed it breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

What are you thankful for?
Toys, Mommy, Candles--I mean warmth. 

What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
Playing legos. We played legos today, did I? Did it look like I have been playing legos? 

What are you really good at?
Singing. Listening to music. Focusing, just like I focused getting out of the bathtub. 

What is a goal or something you want to accomplish this year?
Do the advent at Christmas time. Do my chores faster and get it done faster. 



What's your favorite toy?
I think Holland's dragons toys. They are stuffies, but also toys. Mommy can stuffies be toys?

What's your favorite color?
All the colors in the rainbow. Red because it is dark pink and I love pink so that is why I love red. 

What do you like to do with Mommy and Daddy?
Work with them to build the pool. Remember when I holded down that thing when you did it across? Karaoke because I was on your team so we got to go together. And I like that we sang Must Be Santa because it is my favorite song, and we sing it in choir. And I know it better than you. 

What's your favorite game to play?
Zingo!

What's the best thing about our house?
Snuggling in the bed and squishing each other. 

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?
Giraffe because they are not making noises. Because I haven't had it as a pet and I have never seen one. 

What's your favorite book or story?
My favorite book is Dragon Masters. Rainbow Dragons are actually Sun Dragons but they have rainbow powers. Actually Sun Dragons have the power of rainbows not just sun powers. Rainbow Dragons have the power of rain. 

What is your favorite food?
Cucumbers. I like tomatoes and cucumbers. I also like salad. Toast. Salad. 

What is your favorite movie or show? 
Bluey because I like the part when Bingo used to be Mini Bluey. And Big Bluey used to be Big Bingo. 

What is a bad habit that you have? 
That's a hard one. Sometimes when I breathe faster it gets the word inside my head faster. Not listening to the full answer. 

What is a good habit you have? 
Oh that's easy. I have to think about it for long though. Not picking at my other fingers except this one. (Her thumbs.) I have only been picking at my thumbs and toes. And that is a good habit because my toes aren't as worse as my thumbs. 

Tell me a time you were kind. 
In church, when I am learning from my teachers. I always listen to the full answer. I patisipate. I copy what I am supposed to be doing. 

Tell me about a time you were not kind. 
When I was shouting and I had to say sorry later. It was today. I was shouting so much. And you told me to say sorry to everyone. 

What are you excited about? 
Birthday. Of course I am excited about your birthday! (hug) I am glad your birthday is nearest to John's, I mean Daddy's. 

What is your prettiest thing? 
Flowers. The flower that Holland planted. 

What do you think about Jesus?
He healed everyone. He always watches over. He helps us. He helps us be stronger and makes things easier for us. I am glad that he always...Mommy how does God stay up over night without going to sleep? I am glad that he always watches us over even when things are supposed to be doing all day. That he watches over us all the time. I like when he loves us. He helps us as he guides us on the right path. 



We celebrated Darcy's birthday 3 days early. She asked for her meals oatmeal, toast with almond butter and jam, and Trader Joe's tomato soup. Cheesecake with strawberry rhubarb sauce for dessert. 
For presents we gave Darcy some picture books, light up tennis shoes, a sticker book, a bath toy, and the best of all a stuffed animal penguin. She loves the penguin the best because of all of the Poppy the Penguin stories I tell her. 
They always start like this, "Once upon a time there was a penguin named Poppy, and she lived in a nice icy land named Antarctica with her friends, Freddy and Macey, and her mommy and her daddy, and her baby sister Grey." Poppy and her friends go on lots of adventures, some of which aren't logical at all, but the thing they like best is sliding down icy slides. It's pretty cute and in another life I would like to write a children's book about it. 
In the real world Darcy just loves the stories I tell her and absolutely adored the new stuffy Poppy. It's pretty cute! 
Happy birthday sweet girl! We love you so so so much! 






Saturday, December 7, 2024

Holland's 9th Birthday


Oh our sweet Holland. How we love you! You turned nine years old. We can't believe our little sunshine girl is growing up so fast. You picked out the cutest romper to be your birthday outfit. I took you to Ross to find something to be your birthday outfit, and you picked out what you liked. But then you had to narrow it down. I think your initial number of things you liked was close to 20. After much deliberation and fretting you chose this blue and white polka dot romper, and it is darling. You also insisted I try on a number of gowns that would be fit for a gala. I couldn't quite pull them off, but it was still so fun to go shopping with you. 
We ended up taking your birthday photos at Aunt Miriam and Uncle Marc's house, which was so fun/dusty. You were a good sport about it, even though you had to climb all in the grass and weeds. They turned out lovely mostly because you are lovely. 
At your nine year old check up you were 48.7 inches tall which is the 6th percentile. You weighted 48.72 lbs which is the 3rd percentile. That put your BMI at 13%. You are still pretty tiny, but strong and healthy and awesome. We're so lucky that you have a healthy body that is just perfect for you. 
Holland, being nine has been kind of a turning point for you. I am blown away with how mature you have become this year. You have more control over how you show your emotions. You have demonstrated tons more self control in how you handle your chores and daily tasks. This has not been easy or effortless. This is something you have been working toward for years. I am thrilled for you that all of your struggle and perseverance has been paying off. I am so proud of you--not just for reaching these milestones, but for not giving up and working through the struggle. 
You are in the CAS program at school which means that your class moves at a much fast pace than other fourth grade classes. Just this morning you were telling me how on Fridays, you are in a special group that does 8th grade math. What?? That's amazing! 









Let's hear from you about what it is like being NINE!

1. What is your favorite day of the week? Why?
My favorite day of the week is Friday because you get early out and it's movie night. 

2. What is your least favorite chore?
My least favorite chore is bathtubs because it takes so long, I get distracted easily, and it stinks. 

3. What is your favorite movie and why?
I think my favorite movie is The Croods because it is fun and adventurey. 

4. What is your all time favorite toy? 
Stuffed animals, Baby Bear particularly because he is comforting and good to play with. 

5. What is your favorite family tradition?
Rice pudding on Christmas Eve

6. What is the best gift you have ever received?
The sandbox. It is fun to play in. 

7. What is something that you are proud of?
I am proud of my math skills. 

8. What is your favorite smell or scent?
Freshly baked bread or rolls. 

9. What word or phrase do you think you use too much?
"I think"

10. Do you prefer watching movie or reading books? Why? 
Well, I would rather watch a movie because I can hear and see it. 

11. What is a song that always gets stuck in your head?
Mother Knows Best from Tangled

12. What is something that annoys you or makes you mad? 
When people are mistreating my stuff. 












13. Describe your perfect weekend.
Friday: waking up at 9:00, realizing there is no school, and also realizing it is my birthday and having a birthday party with lots of friends and fun things. And I would go to a movie theater and watching a movie. Eating birthday cake and blowing out candles.
Saturday: Waking up at 9 again. Looking over at the door and seeing my parents gave me a "no chores today" coupon that I could you infinite times. Realizing that it is a day of a family gathering. Going to the family gathering, then Miracle Bowl, and out to eat at the BYU Creamery. 
Sunday: Waking up at 9. Seeing a new dress for church. Having a fun activity at church. 

14. What color best represents your personality and why? 
Peach, happy most of the time, but can get a little mad or sad sometimes. Because peaches can be green or red. 

15. What is something you are looking forward to?
Christmas and my 10 year old birthday. 

16. What makes you nervous about growing up?
The fact that one day I will have to move out of the comforts of home and be away from family and friends. 

17. What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas and then Easter. Because do things like Advent, presents, spend time with family, and everything is so pretty. 

18. Describe your perfect meal.
Seven layer dip with chips, and a parfait with fruit in it. 

19. If you could spend a day with one person from the past, who would you choose? 
I would spend it with Naomi from Arizona. 

20. How do you like to relieve stress? 
By reading a book or cuddling with my stuffed animals. 

21. Who is your favorite fictional character, why? 
Creel from Dragon Slippers because she is adventurous and funny. 

22. What job do you think you would be good at? 
I think I would be good at being a teacher for preschoolers. 

23. What is your ideal number of hours asleep to feel your best in the morning? 
Twelve

24. What talent would you like to have?
Grow plants really well

25. What are the top three things on your bucket list? 
Have kids and get married. 
Go to French Polynesia. 
Get a good job and pass school. 







Holland, your birthday was so fun! You loved all of your presents--a big lego set from Uncle Daniel, shelves to go above your lego desk, a neck light, 3D dragon, necklace, and footie jammies.
For breakfast, we had waffles. For dinner we had white chicken chili. And for dessert, we had cheesecake! It was a delicious day for a delightful girl. We love you more than we can say! 






A little plant you picked out from Home Depot. You are so fun, Holland. I love you so much!