Isabelle turns eight today. She is exuberant and determined and encouraging and persistent.
She loves all things “girly”…dresses and jewelry and pretty shoes and sparkly, frilly hair things.
If she could, I think she might live in the kitchen. With constant questions, she has figured out how to do many things cooking-wise, and is always very interested in sampling anything and everything that is being made. Almost humorously, she has a strong dislike for anything spicy…but will still always insist that she might suddenly like spice if it is in something someone else is eating, or something she sees in use in the kitchen.
This is Isabelle’s first year playing softball, and though there’s a learning curve, along with bugs and heat and dirt, she has a smile on her face just about every moment of it. She loves being around people, especially other girls her age, and is so excited for this opportunity.
Isabelle remains our most enthusiastic “helper” at home, too. She is very particular about the help she gives, though, hence the qualifier. Whenever “someone”, in general, is asked to do something, she is always the first volunteer. Likewise, whenever anyone is doing something which Isabelle deems might need help (whether it actually does or not), she is quick to ask what she can do. When something is specifically asked of her, though, she is often less enamored with the task…which, I admit, befuddles me sometimes, but we address any attitudes when they arise, and encourage her to not let them impede her love for helping others.
Isabelle has been learning, bit by bit, the recorder, the harmonica, the guitar, and the piano. While my tendency would be to limit it to one, or maybe two, instruments, she is prone to being easily bored by just one, and I figured at this point, it’s just better to encourage her interest in music, rather than care too much about progress. But she IS making progress and is always thrilled to share that progress with anyone who will listen.
Academically, Isabelle excels in math, but does well in most areas. Her listening comprehension, which has been a struggle in the past, is improving, and for an eight year old, she is a great self-starter and takes ownership of the work she has to do. As with most areas of life, she always wants to share what she’s learning with anyone who will listen, so many members of our family get daily updates on her daily math lessons, the new interesting science facts that she has learned, and the entire, detailed plot line of whatever book she is reading.
She is growing fast, but is still my little girl in so many ways. Isabelle always wants to sit next to me or Tim. Every morning, she greets us with an enormous smile, and big, almost-tackling, hugs. I sometimes have to remind myself to not let these days slip by unnoticed, but when I take the time, I truly cherish Isabelle’s smiles and giggles, her empathetic heart, her unrestrained interest in anything I’m doing, her questions, her excitement, and her generally optimistic attitude about each new day. She is beautiful and thoughtful and capable and creative and fun-loving and kind. I love my Sweetpea more than words can say, and I’m forever grateful for her birthday each year when we get to take a day to celebrate her.