I was sad for you today.

You woke up, walked down the hall, and told me, "I can't find sam." Then you went and looked for him in the kitchen. I heard you crying, so I went in there and picked you up. you wailed, "I want Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam!" It was pretty heartbreaking. You're really old enough to miss your brother when he's not around, and now that he's started school, he'll be gone for several hours every day. I know what that's like; I was a little sister too. Hang in there, little girl- your time will come!

Love, mom

today you got your first bloody nose.

you were standing in time out for being WAY too loud (this is what you and sam get time out for most often, lately), and suddenly you turned around, and your finger and your nose and upper lip were covered with blood. i'm not sure if the finger went in before the bleeding and caused it, or if you were feeling the blood and sent your finger to investigate. it made you a bit nervous, and you kept requesting a bandaid. this wad of toilet paper seemed to satisfy you.

i hope you don't get too many nosebleeds! but i'm glad you handle injuries pretty well. you're tough!

love, mom

you found the scissors.

earlier today, you apparently went into the bathroom, got some scissors out of the drawer, took them to your room, climbed up on sam's bunk, and proceeded to cut yourself a few bangs. there are several things i should be thankful for, here:

1. you didn't hurt yourself.

2. you stopped after the bangs and didn't proceed to cut it all off. it kind of could have started looking like a mullet if you'd gone further with it.

3. it's not completely obvious. noticeable, but it doesn't just jump out at you.

i was pretty sad about it, though. you've never had a haircut, and you have beautiful hair. also, i was pretty set against bangs. i think i'm just going to leave it be and let them grow out... maybe you're onto something, and it'll be the next big thing.

mostly, i'm hoping you never do it again.

once again, you've lived up to your old nickname, "destructobaby"....

i love you even if you have weird hair.

love, mom

you like the great outdoors.

last night we decided to camp out in the backyard. you liked running around and being silly, and you liked to yell and listen to your voice carry in the night air. i'm not sure how much the neighbors loved it. you also liked standing on your chair and making us afraid you'd fall into the fire. we had to tell you to sit down a whole bunch.

you really liked sitting on amber's lap and helping her roast the hot dog octopus, which you then helped her eat. you also ate about 20 marshmallows, then you said your belly hurt. not surprised!

it's fun watching you enjoy new things!

love, mom

Happy 4th of July!

you celebrated your third 4th of July, and with each passing year, you enjoy the fireworks more. this year, you sat with Ivy in Holly's lap and clapped and shrieked every time you saw one. it was pretty funny and cute. you were sad to go home, and you looked for fireworks out the car window the whole way back to our house.

it's fun to see you get so excited about things. i love you!

love, mom

happy fathers' day!

the tradition around here is to wear shirts that say nice things about daddy and then get your pictures taken outside. you were much more cooperative this year than last year.

thanks!

we had a good day with daddy. you and sam made cards for him at church with your foot and hand prints. then at home, you brought him a present with candy and cologne and some new boxer shorts with alligators and sharks and skulls on them. he sure does love you. and you love him too.

love, mom

we're playing catch-up!

a couple weeks ago, your brother graduated from preschool at Growing God's Kingdom. you'll probably be going there in another year or so. i can't believe how quickly you're both growing up. anyway! grandma and papa came up for graduation, and they brought their new puppy, ida bell. she was quite a hit with you. and no, we can't have a puppy.

love, mom