Louisa Jane, Age 8

Happy 8th birthday, Louisa! You have such a lovely heart. The confidence that was evident in you at an early age continues to carry you through life. This year, Dad and I have enjoyed watching you catch the reading bug. If you didn't have younger siblings that need more sleep than you, it would be hard to tell you to turn your light out at night. As someone who has a hard time getting sucked into a book, I really admire the way you can, and do. I think you get that admirable trait from your dad, who got it from his mom, your Oma!

This year on your birthday, we signed up for a mini-photoshoot with a photographer in Madison who asked Briar Loft to make flower crowns for mother/daughter mini-sessions. What a fun thing to do together (as the snow came down outside) the day before your birthday! Despite your love of all things silly, I was surprised to see that, in front of a stranger-photographer, you were a bit reserved. I'm afraid you get that from me!

You and Belle Mere make wonderful birthday twins. The sweet grey romper you're wearing in the photo below was part of your birthday gift from Belle and Papa. The other part was a white board, which you immediately used to draw a calendar. As I type, (a few month late, I'll admit) your white board says Notes to Self: 1) Write script 2) Practice piano. I adore how much you love calendars, lists and drawing/writing and I can't wait to see how these interests show up in your future career.

The gift with pink and gold paper near your cake is your first digital camera from Dad and me. Oh the joy it brought you! It's pretty clear that while you like toys, you really love grown up gifts. Speaking of grown up gifts, I don't know many 8-year olds that want a loom for their birthday. Oma has taught you all sorts of textile art skills and it's very cool to see you curled up in the brown chair in our living room either knitting or reading.

Oma's poppyseed angel food cake with lemon curd is still your favorite dessert. 

You're a gem, Lou Bear! I'm not totally sure how we got so lucky to have you as our firstborn. We're proud of you and we love you. Keep up your silliness and love of art, acting, music, reading, family, and friends.

She's Six!

Cora. Cora Bean. Bean Bean. Happy birthday, dear girl! It's hard to believe you just turned six. Your imagination is incredible, and paired with your creativity, you could play in any art studio forever. This year for your birthday, we didn't buy you any toys and I was a little bit nervous that you'd feel disappointed. You weren't! Instead, you were excited about a handlebar bag for your green Trek, a new turquoise spring jacket, purple shoes and a winter hat. You confidently got your ears pierced without a flinch and, without your reminders, I would forget to clean your new piercings altogether. 

One of my favorite things about you this year is how affectionate yet not clingy you are when I come to help in your classroom on Tuesdays. At first it was hard for you to let me leave, but as we near the end of kindergarten, you sweetly hug me and send me on my way, before heading to the playground for recess. 

Given the choice between hot lunch once per week or chocolate milk to accompany the lunch Dad packs for you, you choose the milk. This morning you didn't want to go to school because your good friend Hollis is in Egypt for "a really long time" so you don't have anyone to sit next to. I gently reminded you that you have lots of other good friends in your class and helped you pick your clothes, and you were set.

This year, you chose Lucky Charms for your birthday cereal and chocolate cake with green frosting (for the animals to graze in) for your birthday dessert. Two days later, you got to blow out candles a second time, with Aunt Georgia, whose birthday is only two days after yours!

A sunny day for a hike in Cross Plains

Snuggles with Papa