Reagan's 8th Birthday

Reagan is 8! What?! That can't be right. And yet...

Despite being so busy with Daryn, we found lots of ways to spoil this girl throughout her birthday month. The night before the big day, we were up late baking and decorating and assembling and the sky was complicit in the celebrations with a beautiful display of her two favorite colors. 

First things first, a new bike! It took her a minute to figure out the speeds but she loves it.

And that means little sisters get "new" bikes too!

We had a relatively quiet day at home and then Aunt Meagan came over and joined us for a party!

Flowers from Daddy. 

Pizza and a movie on the couch.

Illustrated Harry Potter from Mom and a science kit from Dad. 

And a new, pre-loved easy bake oven for all the girls to share!

Purple funfetti cake with purple icing and mermaids decorations, as requested. 

And after dessert, a evening walk with Wilson.

A perfect day for this girl!

Some things about Reagan: some days she is really hard and mean to her sisters and some days she is very emotional and some days she is super mature and totally impresses me. Sometimes it switches by the minute and we all get whiplash. She is getting to be pretty responsible and I can count on her for a lot. She thrives in one-on-one grown up situations. She loves reading and is finally branching out (with some nudges from me). She is reading around a 6th grade level and this summer has read classics including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte's Web, Ella Enchanted, The Castle in the Attic, and the Borrowers, and loved every single one. She loves being outside and you can find her there most of the time. She enjoys helping me cook. She gets along well with other kids and is very friendly when she is in her comfort zone. She is intelligent and asks lots of questions and tries to figure things out herself. She likes playing the piano and doesn't mind practicing too much. She is done with dance and starting to love gymnastics more. She is kind and helpful (when reminded) but lives in her own world sometimes. She wears size 8 shirts and 7 bottoms, and size 12 shoes (tiny feet!). She weights around 53 lbs (35th percentile) and is 50.5 inches (60th percentile). Tall and skinny and beautiful! Her front teeth still show no signs of coming in but we've got our fingers crossed. We love this girl so much! Even when she challenges us...

Birthday survey:

1. What is your favorite color? Purple

2. What is your favorite toy? Art scraps

3. What is your favorite fruit? Peaches

4. What is your favorite tv show or movie? Magic Schoolbus Rides Again Episode 1

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Plain honey sandwich (Me: have you ever had that? R: No, but I can taste it in my mind.)

6. What is your favorite game? Cops and robbers

7. What is your favorite snack? Nachos

8. What is your favorite animal? Cheetah

9. What is your favorite song? A Million Dreams

10. What is your favorite book? Rainbow Magic Evelyn the Mermicorn Fairy and  Boxcar Children 1-3

11. Who is your best friend? Ivy

12. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch

13. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Eat our fruit from the garden

14. What is your favorite drink? Lemon Lime soda

15. What is your favorite holiday? 4th of July 

16. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My heart pillow that I made all by myself.

17. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? German pancakes with white syrup and powdered sugar

18. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Little Caesars extra cheesy pizza

19. What do you want to be when you grow up? A famous artist

20. I am very proud because… I am getting baptized

21. I am afraid to … boulder to the top and jump off

22. Name one thing you do really well? Rock climbing

23. What is your favorite time of day? Lunchtime because sometimes you have a popsicle

24. What makes you feel sad? Someone taking one of my animals

25. What makes you feel happy? Getting a treat

26. Where do you want to go on vacation? Kauai  

27. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom or Dad? Go to the Rush funplex