Happy 8th Birthday, Rose!

 Happy 8th Birthday Rose!!! 

Dear Rosie,

What a year it has been! Every year is a delight with you and I love getting to know you more and more as the time goes. You still have one of the most tender and kind hearts and you often ask insightful questions about the meaning of life. You are a friend to all and are easy to get along with. 

Some new things from this past year of your life: you started Irish dance lessons! You have been interested in it since Hazel does it so you decided to try and you're loving it! You got to go on real roller coasters this year and you love those too! You also started art classes. You got to travel to new national parks, and states. Including Hawaii! Which you've been dreaming of and asking to visit for a few years now! You also got to see a total solar eclipse! 

You really love to sing and you are good at it too! You can stay on tune and pitch and I love it so much. You've been so brave to sing a couple little solos in church this past year. You still take horse lessons and enjoy those. And you continue to enjoy hiking and camping. You're usually towards the front of everyone on our hikes. You love kayaking around lakes too and can paddle for a long time! You have always had an adventurous spirit and I love it so much. From rope swings, to riding a four wheeler, to snow hikes in crocks, loping on a horse, jumping into a cold lake, you're usually up for fun things! 

Unless something seems too dangerous. You do still have a healthy dose of caution. And sometimes fear takes the drivers seat when it comes to trying new things like a steep slide, new foods, or talking to someone new. You worry a bit about what people might think and you're scared to feel embarrassed. Which makes sense, nobody really likes feeling that way! But you've pushed through some of those hard feelings and I've been so proud of you! 

On your last birthday we got you a robot dog toy because you had been feeling a lot of sadness for quite a while. It was clear to me soon after that no fake dog was going to work and so we got the family a dog. And while Millie truly is the family dog and everyone loves her more than I ever thought they would, YOU were the main reason and incentive for us to get her. There is something deep in your soul that NEEDS a dog in your life. You love all animals so much but you REALLY love dogs! You are always so sweet with Millie and always willing to help with her with her baths and feeding her and everything. I have no doubt you'll be a great dog owner your whole life. 

You learned to read this past year and you LOVE it so much. You are content to sit and read little chapter books. And some of my favorite moments with you are at bedtime when we read stories together and then you ask me questions about life and we talk about anything we want. When I sing you a lullaby and scratch your back, you're determined to also scratch my arm and sing with me, so that I'm not left out.  You always want to cuddle. And you grab on tight and hold on when you hug, like you're never going to let go. I always have to leave but deep down I never want to. You're thoughtful and are always making me little notes and cards with kind words telling me how much you love me and what a great job I'm doing. You draw us pictures and leave them on our bed stands. 

You've also surprised us with how brave you are in a few unexpected ways. You decided that you had a crush on a boy and you decided to make him a Valentine for Valentines day and then you actually were brave enough to take it to his house, ring the doorbell, and leave it with his mom to give to him! And then he made you a Valentine back! Haha! Then you wanted your ears pierced but you've been so scared too. But you decided to do it the same time as your cousin Annika. I decided to have you go first because you were so nervous but then you got on that chair and didn't even hesitate and let the girl pierce your ears! And you didn't even cry! (in comparison, your cousin cried and nearly left the parlor with only one ear pierced! haha) 

You're still so goofy and nothing makes me laugh more than when you do your silly dancing moves. You've also recently developed a new sassy side when you're feeling nervous around friends or new people. It's kind of funny and cute. (but wont be when you're a teenager so I hope you're getting it out of your system now ;) 

You still love tea parties and roller blading around the house. You still love animals. You love to draw and write stories. You love to ride your bike and play with friends. You love school and helping me bake. 

On the opposite side- you do NOT like anyone or anything getting hurt. You SOBBED when two dinosaurs fought in a cartoon. Your heart broke when Johnny caught a fish, even though it was fine and we put it back in the water and it swam away. That hook in its mouth was too much for you. And you cried and refused dinner when you saw a whole roasted chicken and it made you think too much about the animal. Basically I give you a few more years before you decide to go vegan. haha 

We love you SO MUCH and we are so excited for this next year of growth and especially as you get baptized! You are beautiful inside and out! You are bursting with light and love!  Happy birthday! 

And now some Rose quote from the year:

"I wish I could face-time you on my watch so that I could see your big, round FACE!"

June pulls out a new bra from her shopping bag and Johnny, surprised, remarks, "June you bought boobies?!" To which Rose replied, "No Johnny, it's a boob protector!" 

Mom: Well, teenagers can be difficult 

Rose: Yeah because when you're a teenager you get DRUNK

Mom: *laughs* What?!

Rose: Yeah! They stay up late in the night drinking COCA-COLA, going CRAZY all night!

While Rose is in a public bathroom in the stale going to the bathroom she suddenly loudly asks, "Mom, why do we even exist?!"

"Sometimes I picture myself as a grown tall woman with a round head and no chin!"

Rose: Dad, when you die you'll have a ceremony right? I probably wont be able to go.

Buck: Why?

Rose: Because I'll be adventuring around the world!

Johnny: Mom? When was I born?!

Rose interjects: You were born on your BIRTHDAY Johnny!

"Mom, when I'm in heaven I'm just gonna be sitting there eating chips."

"Today feels weird. Like I feel like a normal person but sometimes it feels weird to be a normal person."

Rose: Can I lick the sa-spatula?

Anna: Why do you keep calling it a "sa-spatula" It's just a "spatula."

Rose: SA SPATULA

.....

It just feels nice to say it that way, okay lady?!

Dad: Rose did you get a little boyfriend?

Rose: No.... HE got a little girlfriend!

An adult says to Rose: Doesn't your mom look like Elsa?!

Rose: Well... kind of except my mom has all these lines on her face and a MOLE.

She also was determined to make this "voldimort face" in half of her photos. But I let it happen because she would always laugh right after.....

And I'd get these. :) 

BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW:

What is your favorite color?

rainbow

What is your favorite toy?

Stuffies and Disney stuff

What is your favorite TV show? (movie)

Bluey

Favorite snack?

Apples

What is your favorite book or book series?

Wild Robot

What do you take to bed?

My stuffies

Favorite breakfast?

German waffles and french toast

Dinner?

Spaghetti and ham and mac and cheese

What does mom always say to you?

Don't let your fears take over you! 

What does Dad always say to you?

Ay kezi bon!

What makes you Happy?

My family and my stuffies

Sad?

My friends moving or if I have to give away my stuffies and me not being the youngest child

What makes you Laugh?

"Oh poop sticks!" 

What is your favorite thing to do?

art, singing, taking care of my stuffies and being a sassy pants

Who's your best friend?

Capri, Harper, Braden, Stitch, Annika

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A vet, a zoo keeper, a singer, a restaurant person

What are you really good at?

Singing, taking care of my stuffies, being a "sass-a-france" and cooking and art and playing

What's mom good at?

Cleaning up for us, being a good mom, being very kind and thoughtful, making this house for us and paying for it every day. 

What's dad good at?

Same things

What's June good at?

Being a kooky pants and a "sass-a-france"

What's Hazel good at?

A sass-a-france and a scardey pants. 

Art

Johnny?

Being crazy. Screaming, whining

What are you good at?

Everything at in the world. Art, and being annoying.

What aren't you good at?

Trying new foods. Not being so violent or having a dark side....

What is your favorite song?

Benson Boone, AJR

What do you want for your birthday?

Hoover board, stitch, art kit, and a vacation to Paris, and a god day.

Favorite animals?

Dog

Cat

What does Dad do for work?

 Boring stuff that I don't know

Where is your favorite place to go?

To my cousins, Skyzone

What do you Complain about?

When I have to be mature. And I'm not being mature right now. I'm not wearing anything mature

Musical instruments?

Violin

What scares you?

Nightmares. And learning about space and exploding stars

What would your three wishes be?

Having a million pets. Having stitch with me. Being a vet, being a zookeeper, being a singer

What seems dangerous to you?

Falling off of cliffs. Going on scary stuff. Falling down stairs or slipping on books or someone falling on top of me 

What do you love about yourself?

That I'm kind. 

What do you work hard at?

Staying kind. Trying not to be a sass-a-france

What secret are you keeping to yourself?

I used to have one. That I wore pull ups. But not anymore. 

Favorite holiday?

I love Christmas and fall and I love Valentines and also Halloween and all of them!