Whitney

Random things that I don't want to forget about my six-year-old little Whitney that have happened in the last month or so...

* The other day Whitney told me, "Mom! I have clown feet right now!" I had no idea what she was talking about, but after discussing what she was feeling, I discovered that her foot had fallen asleep. I thought it was a pretty clever little name for describing that tickling sensation.

* At night when I'm tucking her in, she'll say, "I hope your baby doesn't die in your tummy!" A sad thought for such a young kid, but all I can think to reply is, "Me either!"

* Lately she has been saying in her prayers, "Please bless Dad at work that he won't get in trouble by his boss." We're still not sure where that one came from, but we hope it's working.

* A while ago when we were at Subway, I had the worker put a little mayonnaise on the kids' sandwich. After Whitney took a bite of her sandwich, her eyes opened really huge and she said, "Mom! My sandwich tastes so delicious!! It's like there's sour cream on it!!" Poor girl had never had mayo before; I guess I've been depriving her!

* In April, her school had their annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser. Whitney was a champ running with the herd of kindergarteners!

They stamp the kids' backs after each lap, and they get pledges for how many laps they run. Since we were first-time jog-a-thon parents, we just did a flat donation, but next year I think we'll pledge per lap.

* It's been a while since she got her bangs. I've offered to trim them a few times, but she keeps telling me, "I like to sweep them." She does her own hair in the morning, and she especially likes clips or headbands. The other day I sent her to school (she did her own hair and picked out her own clothes like always--some days she matches better than others) and come to find out it was spring picture day. I had seen it on the calendar, but just assumed it was picture re-take day for those who missed fall pictures. We were really impressed with the picture that they snapped!

(Please note the butterfly print shirt and butterfly hairclip. The girl is obsessed!)

Sometimes she asks me pull her hair back like the picture below, but so much of her bangs fall out that it ends up looking much too wind-blown. But I guess that's the look she's going for--with her love of "sweeping bangs" and all.

We're hoping this transition stage with her hair goes quickly. We need to make a choice to either grow them out or cut them again before she starts 1st grade in the fall.

* Whitney's birthday butterflies ended up being a great little investment. Who knew $14.99 would buy us the BEST birthday present ever? If I had a dime for every thank you she gave us in the last month for her pets, her college tuition would be paid for. Really. This girl oozes gratitude, which makes me even more grateful for her!

Look at how big and nasty those things got. They finally built their cocoons and then we waited for what felt like forever for those things to hatch. Just when I was getting ready to call the company to complain about defective larvae, butterflies started appearing in the butterfly house. It was miraculous! 

Her cousin, Lauren, came over the day they hatched. The two of them giggled for hours holding their butterflies. My sister told me that Lauren reported later that she would never forget that wonderful day -- holding a real butterfly.

I don't think it's possible for this girl to be any happier...

* Whitney is on a writing kick. She started out the school year getting so frustrated (tears and all) each time she had to sound out a word on her own, so we think this is great progress--to be writing notes all by herself unprompted... all day long. She writes notes to practically everyone.

This random note for Tyler was written back in February, but even though this is supposed to be an update of the past month, I have to include it.

Translation: I wonder what you do at work? Do you fix people's teeth? I love you. Or do you fix people's jaws? Or do you fix people's bodies? I don't know. I love your job!!!!!!!!! (Caption on picture: "Mmmm... I'm a little scared!")

This gem was written while on Whitney was having a timeout in her room:

With 7 exclamation points, I think she must be serious.

I loved the 13 sweet Mother's day notes - all of them are posted below. But I had to highlight my favorite here. She wrote it herself, and then Tyler helped her fix some spelling errors after she was done.

Whitney's always getting daddy/daughter dates. I would love to be able to have a special outing with her too! She is such a special little girl, and I'm so grateful to have her as my oldest child. She really desires to do what is right and sets a great example for her siblings. We love her!