Micah & Victoria Turn 8!

Every year I say the same thing... where has the time gone!  I cannot believe my babies turned 8 years old!

We celebrated as a family with Micah's birthday cake.  He requested red velvet with cream cheese frosting... one of my favorites.  Izzy helped with the sprinkles to create this reverse eight.

I giggle at this picture since both Micah and Victoria look like they are eyeing each other to see who blows out their candles first.

After dinner and cake came opening presents.

On Victoria's list was Barbies, Barbies, Barbies.  Family did not disappoint as she received several.  The one she really wanted was a Barbie with movable joints.  The look on her face told me that she got exactly what she asked for!

Micah has been writing a list of what he wanted for weeks.  He would creep up to the list posted on the refrigerator after seeing a commercial to add yet one more item.  He was quite thrilled to have gotten many of the Mario Kart Hot Wheels he's been talking about incessantly.  But he was quite surprised to open the Texans Lil' Teammates.  That was on mommy's internal list for him that he forgot to add to his own list.

 Victoria has been asking for a purple remote control car for a while.  That is not as easy as it seems to be to find.  This one spoke to me and looked just like Victoria.  Sure enough, it was.

Having a birthday in August means thoughts of the impending first day of school.  Oma and Opa gave the twins backpacks that they pointed out liking in a magazine when back on the farm this summer.  They were both relieved to find out that the backpacks were bigger than their old ones which were "too small" according to both of them.

Things I Want to Remember About Victoria

1.  Unicorns are your universe!  If it has a unicorn on it, you want it... no need it.  Unicorns are on your sheets, shirts, pants, socks, underwear, pencils, earasers, folders... you get the picture.

2.  Your bed is engulfed in stuffies.  They sort of grew to now sharing half your bed with them.  However you cannot fall asleep easily without being surrounded by them.  You created your own bedtime song that incorporates your favorite stuffies.  

3.  No matter what comes and goes with your favorites, blankie remains a staple.  Blankie took a trip earlier this year (unknown to you, blankie is being upcycled into a keepsake Teddy Bear) and sent you a postcard about her trip.  You are still guessing on where she is at currently.  Since we have two blankies, you are content with the other one (Micah's blanket) but know it's not "the one" and are eagerly awaiting blankie's return.

4.  Remote learning taught me a lot about how your mind works.  I was taken back when you overtook your brother in understanding math concepts including negative numbers.  You have become more comfortable in reading independently.  Your strength lies in your creative writing which is filled with humor and character depth.

5.  Socializing is your primary focus.  COVID hurt this part tremendously.  With Margaret also being at home more, you two have become close playmates especially since you both love Barbies.  The courtyard often is littered with toys that have been brought out for your entertainment.

Things I Want to Remember About Micah

1.  You are one to want everyone to follow the rules.  Sometimes you modify those rules to fit what you want though.  You get easily frustrated when your sisters aren't doing what is suppose to be done with you finding your voice to say so.  During remote learning, you knew the daily schedule and never had to be asked to read.  You simply set the microwave timer and went off to read on your own.

2.  You have developed close friendships with two other boys; one in your class and our neighbor.  You ask incessantly if you can go outside to play with Fox.  With COVID, you two spend hours in the courtyard.  Whenever our door buzzes, 9 times out of 10 it is Fox asking if you can come out and play.

3.  You continue to be a collector of objects.  Once you find a toy or object that you enjoy, they accompany you near everywhere you go.  You sneak baggies to keep your collections in for safekeeping.  Fox is very similar with you two comparing collections often.

4.  You remain my sensitive child.  A simple hug sometimes isn't enough to get you through a tough spot.  You're not one to talk about how you feel.  But once you do, it is easier to work through what's bothering you.  Sometimes all you need it a bit of alone time in your room.

5.  The Nintendo Switch has become a favorite past time.  I can totally see you as a gamer as you get older.  A timer is a must otherwise I've caught you playing up to two hours without knowing it.  I used to be able to beat you in Mario Kart.  Now, not anymore.