Happy 8th Birthday Grace Elizabeth!

Dearest Gracie,

My love for you is never something you have to doubt. It's much different than any kind of love you will ever have in your lifetime. A mother's love is something that runs deep into the soul and no matter what the circumstances, that love is endless and will always be there. We had to have this talk a few days ago, one day you were pretty naughty (so naughty we had to cancel your friend birthday party - sassy mouth gets you in trouble every time sis!) Anyway on that day you said, "You don't love me!" Well, to which I said, "darling there will be days where I do not like the choices you make. Just like when you don't like the choices I make but my love for you is something completely different. My love for you and your sister is a forever no matter how naughty, mean, or nasty you are I will always love you." I hope as you grow older you truly know this!

It's amazing to me how many new concepts you are learning, in math you're starting to add two digit numbers, subtract and your starting to understand what multiplication is about. Reading your doing wonderful, you read every night for at least a half hour before lights out but some nights if we let you go longer, you will read for an hour or more! You never really liked chapter books until this year, you could read and comprehend them but you wouldn't just pick one up and read it, so to see you do this now feels like such a big girl thing to do. You're really into science experiments and magic lately too! You want to know how everything works and why. All wonderful things... mostly we have to look up answers on the internet because my mommy knowledge doesn't seem to be enough for you anymore. Boo Hoo.

Your love of animals is still strong! You love on Lilly like she's your baby. Every morning you give her fresh water, you make sure her food is full, and you even brush her daily. You loved those Woolybear Caterpillars that were found every where this Fall. You would bring them inside the house and try to keep them. We attempted to but couldn't find any milk weed and had to let him go free when he wouldn't eat any of the lettuce we gave him.

This year we went camping with our friends the Conklin's for a week during the summer, you played with Kailee and Autumn all week pretty well! We let you ride your bike around the loop we were on (only because we could see you through the trees). I was very impressed with how well you all played together. Then Auntie Tab came, you and Kailee played so well with Veda and Grayson. While I thought you would be more into baby Grant, you really weren't. While you enjoy talking to babies that seems to be the extent of your interest.Over this past weekend you stayed at Gramma Deb and Grampa Lou's house with Allie and Abby. You 4 hoolies had a ball! You played for hours non-stop in the playroom together, no problems at all. It's nice to see you compromise with others. I'm proud of the choices you have been making!

You are a great friend; your besties include (Alynna - 5 years being besties, Lia, Grace E., and Kora). You love to eat candy! Your favorite color is teal. Your favorite thing to do is either play with your toys (Monster High Dolls - yes I finally gave in to that after avoiding it for 2 years!) or d.s. Your favorite tv show is Full House or Haunted Hathaways or anything educational that happens to be on. You love those shows where you learn something; like How it's Made or How the Planets Formed. You're just like your daddy!

You dislike having your picture taken still, but this year when I attempted round 1 of school photos you were very smiley and happy. They turned out cute for sure! You're coming out of your shell too, Mr. Hitsman (the custodian at Ottawa) said that finally after 5 years of him smiling at you, talking to you and waving to you - you FINALLY wave to him and say hi. He just thinks you're a little doll, he loves that shy personality. He always has taken a liking to you and Kailee since day 1. He's a grandpa who doesn't get to see his grandkids often, so you being kind and sweet really brightens his day.

You have the funniest personality too! You try and make everyone laugh, which I adore. By everyone I mean anyone besides Kailee. You are having a rough time being kind to your sister...but we're working on it. You should know I mean business all the time... I think you just love to hear me repeat the same thing over and over again. Grace if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all. I think I say that a dozen times from 3:05-7 p.m. when you go to bed! Oh yeah, your bedtime is now 7, you're moving on up to a later bedtime. You read until 7:30 and then lights out. You use to love to sleep in but this year you're right on the ball, you get up out of bed and get ready for school without any qualms! I appreciate that more than you will ever know!

I am so proud of you my little Gus Gus, I know you're not a fan of that nickname but I love it. As long as it's just mommy calling you that; you don't mind. It's when daddy starts in with the teasing that you get upset. Ah not to worry he loves you too. Teasing is daddy's way of showing his love. I hope the next year goes a little slower and we have a million more laughs! I love you baby girl! xoxo