Seven Already?!

Hey there, big girl! 

Every year I can't believe you're older but every year here we are! You've grown so much this year, and we are so proud of you. Each new stage of your life is a new stage in my life, too. I guess that’s just how being the oldest child works. I’m still growing and learning how to be a parent to each new age you hit. After seven years we’re still figuring it out together, Em.

We started off 1st grade at home where you insisted on calling me Mrs. Barton and told me all about your mom at home. It made me laugh so hard! I was so proud of how well you took to it, but by January you were missing your friends and I was needing a break. Your reading level and love of reading absolutely EXPLODED this year!! We made you a goal for 2021- it was to read 21 chapter books during 2021... you crushed it in two months time. We quickly had to make another chart! I find you reading all the time and it truly warms my heart. 

You spent the summer yet again in the water... you are such a little fish. I really think that you are your happiest in the water of any kind.  

You seem so old these days... using words like, "literally", "obviously", and "seriously." I keep getting glimpses of teenage you. You are still a pretty picky eater but are usually a good sport about trying something new. You still love My Little Pony, Legos, and now Barbie and Nintendo Switch! You still play dress up but I can see it slowing down. You love making Lincoln play wedding with you and other fun pretend games like Hotel and Camping. And your number one love is still ART. You've always got some sort of art piece going on, and it still usually involves trash! Always at least one cardboard box exhibit in your room. You took an art class at a local art studio and absolutely loved it! You are constantly writing in journals I can't keep enough blank ones around for you to write in. You love mess! Water, mud, paint, anything! 

I see a lot of myself in you though we are different, too. You like to have all the information upfront and if something surprises you it can send you into a spiral. One thing I admire about you is that you can usually redirect yourself if we can sit and talk it through. You're working very hard to "roll with the punches" and work through change in a positive way. You're a little introverted extravert which reminds me of me. Sometimes you are a leader, loud, wild, take charge kind of girl and then other times you are shy, quiet, and reserved. You love to dance and be crazy and there's not much you are afraid of. You are such a FUN girl and are always up for an joke or any reason to laugh! You love playing outside with the neighbor kids riding your bike, scooter, rollerblades and skateboard. You're so brave with all of that!

You lost four teeth this year and are constantly wiggling your other teeth hoping they'll fall out too. One night, instead of just leaving your tooth under your pillow for the tooth fairy to easily find, you left a four part scavenger hunt with notes and clues. I was thankful you gave me a run through before you went to sleep...

I love you Emery Kate. You are the sweetest, most fun, and most helpful girl! You have the most amazing memory and I love watching you use that skill to memorize scripture. One day over the summer you learn the Fruit of the Spirit in about 15 minutes- it was amazing. Daddy and I know you are going to do great things. We pray you follow Jesus forever and ever! Shine your light, girl!! 

Love, Mom

 

Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln!

Holy moly that was a quick year! I really can’t believe how fast it went. And five? Five years old?! I think that's just nuts. 

I was really sad to see three-year-old Lincoln go, and I have to say the same for four-year-old Lincoln. You are the sweetest kid, bud. You're my cuddly, touchy feely kid. And you're still VERY ticklish. You come to me at least once a day, lift up your shirt and say, "scratch me?" If you’re sitting next to me you always have your little hand on my leg. I love when I tuck you in at night and you put both of your hands on either side of my face and give me a big smooch.

You have the sweetest, gentlest heart and hate when there’s any conflict. Even if it’s the dog who is in trouble. You’ve told me many times, "Mom, talk nice to Ludo!" You love, love, LOVE your big sister and like to do just about everything she does; which comes in handy because she likes to do what she likes to do as well.  ;) 

We started off the year all about Mario. You wore your dad‘s red hat from when he was a kid the majority of the year and dressed up as Mario for Halloween. Your newest love however is all things superheroes. Batman is your favorite but you love them all. You carried around Lego Batman (about 1 inch tall) for weeks until he suddenly went missing. We searched EVERYWHERE for a whole month and finally found him deep in the couch. You still build with your Magnatiles daily but have added in Lego. You happily (most of the time) oblige to play "wedding" with Emery and love to play Nintendo Switch. Your favorite stuff animal is this tiny blue bunny that you insist is a superhero. Every night when I check on you before I go to bed you are snuggled up tight with him. He's the first thing you ask for when you're sad. You’re very shy around big groups of people but when it’s just us at home you are quite the performer and always have us laughing. You make me think so much of your Daddy and all the stories I've heard of him as a kid. You get embarrassed very easily and smack your hand to your forehead with a big, "Mooooooooooom" like you're 15. You love riding your scooter "Bluer" and playing outside, and always pick me flowers. Whenever I have on makeup or "real" clothes or jewelry or anything that's not sweats you say, "Oh mom I love your clothes/earrings/hair." Your favorite foods are salad, burgers, apples, and "meat" which is what you call chicken, steak, anything!! 

You make us all laugh so much, Linc. You recently discovered that you can control your eyebrows and it cracks us up. Your go-to when you fall down is a big thumbs up and "I'm good!!" You've got some pretty great dance moves... must be from the Barton side. :) You're my little buddy and you're always happy to tag along with whatever I'm doing. We laughed so hard last summer when you fell and got a bucket stuck on your head! You got up and popped the bucket off and had a huge smile!!

Some favorite quotes from this year:

Lincoln: My favorite thing in the whole world is hugging!

Me: Awww, Lincoln, hugging is your favorite??

Lincoln: Yep. And shaking my booty.

----------------------------------------------

"Mom, did you know you can put shoes on hands?"

----------------------------------------------

"Blinking is like sleeping but you open your eyes again."

----------------------------------------------

After slamming on my breaks and explaining that it was a new stop sign that wasn’t there before.. A couple days later I slammed on the brakes yet again when a light changed to red before I thought I could get through the intersection.

You: "Woah, Mom, is that red light new?!?!?"

----------------------------------------------

Seeing a giant inflatable turkey at Thanksgiving: "Woah look at that pumpkin chicken!"

-----------------------------------------------

After I fixed you a bowl of cereal...

Lincoln: Does it have milk?

Me: Yep!

Lincoln: Yessss that’s fresh.

------------------------------------------------

Lincoln: Can you cut this in half?

Me: Why?

Lincoln: So I can eat it twice.

------------------------------------------------

And one just last night...

Emery: Tomorrow is Lincoln's birthday so he gets to choose everything about the day!

Lincoln: Yep and I'm going to choose to have dinosaurs be alive again!

-----------------------------------------------

Happy 5th Birthday, Linky Doodle!! I love the way you talk about God and how you pray, and your dad and I are praying you continue to walk to Him for all your days. 

Love, Mom