Oh kenna girl. You are eight. Eight. Eight!!! Wow, that seems like such a big kid. And you know what, it totally is!
That's the big thing I've figured out in the past few weeks. You really aren't a little girl anymore. You're becoming your own self and it is pretty amazing (and sometimes soooo frustrating - lol) to witness as your mama.
You're still the same sweet, kind, loving, brave, caring, happy, joy-filled, silly girl but you're becoming more of your own self. As your mama, I hope and pray that God continues to give me all the tools I need to help me parent you and shape you and mold you and help you be the best you that you can be.
Makenna this year has gone pretty darn fast. You are a second grader. A second grader. You don't love second grade. Scratch that. You do love second grade. You love all you're learning, you love your friends, you love your new freedoms, you love spelling and math and reading. You don't love your teacher. In fact, you came home from school your first day and insisted that I home school you. Ha! My poor Kenna girl - you love a huggy bear, lovey, encourager, sweet teacher and your teacher this year just doesn't fit that description. She's strict. She's got tough love. She's hard on you. But you know what Kenna girl, despite all that you've done such a great job of plowing through the second grade and working your tail off. I'm proud of the way you've rallied. I know it hasn't always been easy, but I'm super proud of you for hanging in there. You've learned SO much this year. Your spelling AMAZES me. Your memory is incredible. And you have seriously nailed the second grade. And I know you are VERY much looking forward to third grade.
You still love all things. This year you did soccer, volleyball, basketball, swim, baseball, good news club and IMPACT. If given the chance, you would have also signed up for Tae Kwon Do, Horseback riding, Tennis, Golf and dance. Oh if there were only unlimited hours in the day. I love how excited you get to try new things. I do feel like we are getting to the point, where you are starting to love some things more than others and starting to really see you excel in things that you are passionate about. Your current top 3 sports are volleyball, basketball and baseball. You're pretty stellar at all 3, too!
You love all things Kid's Baking Championship. Oh my. You even made your own birthday cake this year.
You were obsessed with the most recent season of Kid's Baking Championship - the one with Abby, Brynn, Alex and Lindsay. Your brother is convinced that he IS Alex on the show and you were really pulling for Brynn. I ALMOST got Abby (from Franklin) to guest star at your birthday party this year and give you a lesson in baking cupcakes. I'm still working on that one.....
You LOVE shows and movies and all things screen. We limit it quite a bit because you are so obsessed and would watch all day if we let you. Ha! You and I spent a special day together in tax season when you had off and your brother had school and we went to see The Greatest Showman together. You LOVED it. I love hanging out with you and I look forward to watching plenty of girly movies with you as you get older.
You are turning in to quite the little fashionista. You love picking out your own clothes and last weekend Uncle Derek got you a bunch of fun patches and you did a pretty good job putting this together.
You ADORE your daddy. He's pretty crazy about you too. He doesn't get all the girl drama, but he's always willing to try to help you through each and every problem you bring to him. Well, except the fear of sharks. That one he's given up on. Especially on random nights in the middle of January when you can't sleep because of the fear.....
You and Alex continue to be best friends and worst enemies. When you're sweet together you are SOOOO sweet together - which is most of the time. Your fights are mostly over him invading your space or messing with your stuff, which is, I suppose, his role as pesky younger brother.
Your best friends this year are your neighbor girls, Hannah & Maddie and Peyton & Olivia at school. I love that Hannah is a year older and Maddie a year younger so that when you want to hang out at home, you can leave an school girl drama behind and just have fun. You were SO sad that you didn't have Peyton or Olivia in your class this year but I think it has helped you to branch out a little and make the most out of the new friendships you've found in your class.
You LOVE little kids and are such a caring sweet girl. Last weekend we were at Uncle John's 75th birthday party and you were so sweet looking after Laila, Rozlyn and Vivi. You adore them and it was so sweet to watch you care for them.
We switch off putting you to bed every night and you enjoy reading with us and telling us all about your day. Lately, you've been quite the night owl and will stay up reading until almost 10 if we let you. I hope and pray that you'll always be this excited to read!
I can't wait to see what 8 will bring. As you grow and change, I hope and pray that as your parents we can help you navigate this crazy world - that we would model for you what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus, that we would give you the tools you need to grow and thrive. We love you so so much, kenna girl. Happy 8th birthday!!
We had a blast celebrating you on Saturday....
You waited so patiently in your gray chair for us to come in with your balloons and present.
Ariel Legos!!
Then it was off to DiCarlo to CHOP your hair off!
You were a little unsure on the drive down, but once daddy gave you his approval, there was no turning back!
Love. Love. Love.
But so much for shorter hair making you look little again......
Your annual picture with the poppies - only 3 bloomed so far this year.
And then a lovely family party which mama failed to take many pictures of...
Oops!
Followed by lots of lego building with daddy, a trip to see Keegan's baseball game, some girl time with mom at Kohl's and some special mommy and daddy time staying up late watching Wonder.
Overall, a pretty awesome day!
We love you Kenna Girl!! Happy eight birthday!!
