UpRooted: August 2018

Birthday date with Papa

Dear Raindrop,

Tomorrow you will officially turn seven, though we have already celebrated your birthday twice now. The first celebration was at Abe and Bethany's house. We shared dinner together and ice cream pie, then exchanged gifts since you and Caroline have birthdays a few weeks apart. They gave you a blue Timex watch, which you had been wanting for a while now. Then you and Caroline stayed chattering the night away.

The next morning we all piled in the van to drive to the mall where you got your ears pierced. You had been wanting to pierce your ears for a long time, and you were so excited to finally be doing it. You did a great job with the actual piercing, but the after pains kind of surprised you and you started to get panicky. You looked all flushed and I worried you might pass out. But after talking to Marit on the phone you felt a lot more at peace. She shared her ear piercing experience with you, which made you feel like your experience was more normal.

Your second birthday was at Gran Jan's house. She fixed your favorite meal of chicken squares and peach Bavarian salad (A.K.A. jello). Grandmother Woodard joined us and gifted you with $17! GranJan gave you film for your polaroid, and Corrie gave you a beautiful Japanese washcloth.

Tomorrow morning Papa will take you out on a breakfast date, then we have a few little gifts for you, and we will enjoy the freedom we have as homeschoolers to start school after your birthday. :)

I was remembering your birthday last year in Honduras, and how the students made you a birthday cake and sang to you in class. I think that trip was truly transformational for you - giving you a vision of how you can help and serve - young as you are.

This past year you have grown in both discipline and imagination. When you asked to get your ears pierced again at Christmas we said we wanted to see you grow in the daily disciplines of making your bed, brushing your teeth and doing your morning chores without having to be asked. That incentive really increased your motivation, and I have truly seen a change in you in this regard.

You have also grown in imagination through your relationship with our very own Lucy Mountain fairy - Glory. I love watching you respond to stories with joy and surprise, and the way you look for whimsy in unexpected places. You are our first child who is willing to believe in fairies, and I think you might actually get to meet one someday...

This Summer you spent a significant amount of time reading out loud to me, and I feel like you are on the cusp of the reading magic taking over and making reading more enjoyment than work. I am so excited for this for you, as you love stories so much, and I am excited about many of the great stories you will get to listen to with Ambleside Online Year 2 this year.

You have really blossomed in your love for soccer, participating in a week-long camp with your siblings, yet you still enjoy dressing up and accessorizing. You are a mix of strong and tender, and I love you so very dearly. You and I will always share a special third child bond...

I love you,
Mama