9 years old

The girls turned 9 on a Tuesday, on Monday night I tried to wait up after they went to sleep so that I could put up some banners.  Savannah would not go to sleep so finally at 11 I told her she would just have to help and not be surprised.  We hung up a few birthday banners and then did some crepe paper in the doorway.  She enjoyed helping so it worked out fine.  Their birthday wasn’t very eventful they had Music and Arts Camp so they did that until 4pm then we went to Golden Corral, their new favorite restaurant, for dinner. 

We also did Happy Days again this year but we waited until after their birthday to start those.  On their happy day they get to choose what we eat for dinner and we sing to them.  They also get to open gifts from their sisters and maybe a gift or two from mom and dad.  They really embrace their happy days and enjoy it being all about them.  This year was Savannah’s turn to go first she chose to have hobos for dinner.  She got a diary and a bracelet making kit from us.  Emma made her some earrings and Olivia bought her a book and watergun.  Emma was next and she chose chicken pot pie, she likes the mini frozen ones from the grocery store so we bought a few of those for everyone.  She got a weave-loom and sewing craft from us.  Savannah gave her a photo book and Olivia got her a watergun and 2 dollars to buy a book.  Olivia was last she chose tacos for dinner and helped make a blackberry cobbler for dessert.  She received a toolbox and lego tape from us.  Savannah got her a photo book and Emma also made her a pair of earrings.

The girls have matured a lot this past year in a lot of ways.  First they grew not only taller but also have filled out especially Olivia and Savannah, Emma is still just very petite.  They have also matured a lot in their responsibilities at home they have a few chores they do every day and a few chores every week.  We have also started letting them stay by themselves for up to an hour while we run errands with Ethan.  They are great sisters to Ethan and enjoy playing with him, he just loves playing with them. 

Emma:  57 lb (24%)  4' 6" (73%) She is still my sweet girl that loves to cuddle and snuggle.  I am impressed often with her creative side, the other day I walked downstairs and she had made a loom out of cardboard.  She had read about it in a book and followed the instructions and made it herself.  She had gotten some cardboard from the garage and cut the lines and then used her yarn to make a little blanket.  Emma still has her breakdowns and we are working through that.  She gets frustrated when things don’t work out her way or if she can’t make something perfect.

Olivia: 78 lb  (82%)  4' 6" (73%) She is our little helper and daddy’s girl.  She loves to work in the garage with him or help him on projects.  Olivia is very easy to get along with and though she hasn’t bonded with a particular friend everyone likes her.  I will say though that sometimes her helpfulness is more about getting sticks (10 sticks =$1), she likes to have money and save money too.  Olivia is an animal lover and has decided she wants to be a vet.  She seems to really love dogs and I hate that her allergies prevent her from having one.  We have noticed since Cuddles death that when she goes to my moms house with the 3 cats she gets puffy eyes and congested fast.  Spending the night there is difficult for her because she starts to feel congested so she can only do one night. 

 

Savannah: 77 lb (81%)  4' 5" (58%) I have seen Savannah mature a lot socially this past year.  She has some good friends and now will even talk to her best friend Ana on the phone occasionally.  She loves to play barbies and occasionally one of her sisters will join her.  Even Olivia will play a little if she can play with the animals.  She likes to be busy and wants to know every day what the plan for that day is going to be.  She has taken an interest in first aid which I am definitely encouraging.  We could use some medical expertise in this family.