Seven Years Old

 7 Years Old

• You lost another tooth over the weekend so I was able to spend some one-on-one time to sew a tooth pillow with a heart pouch on the front for you to put your tooth in. It was really fun to make it with you.
• Fun moments this month: Maggie Kohrman babysitting you kiddos overnight while Dad and I were on a trip, driving down to Kooskia to visit the cake shop, skiing as a family at Snow Haven, building epic forts with your siblings on Sunday afternoons, playing basketball with dad outside, and celebrating 100 days with your class.
• The real highlight of this month was your birthday!!!! We celebrated with a huge group at the Super 8 hotel. You loved swimming with all your friends and eating brownie sundaes. You have such a great group of friends, both from church and school. Maggie came to your party so it was fun to have the big cool sister to play with you guys. That night, we went to the high school play. It was a full day of fun. 
• For your actually birthday, you requested molted lava cakes with ice cream. Sam gave you an umbrella, Maggie gave you this mermaid sewing kit and JoJo gave you this fairy lantern kit. It was so fun to celebrate you. We love you so much!

Six.Eleven Years

 6.11 Years

*I know that Valentine's Day is not for another week, but I wanted to share your love letter

Dear Millie,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Whenever I tuck you into bed, there is something that I only tell you. Do you remember? I love telling you that I love you more than chocolate. Millie, I really do. You are the light and life that our family needed. I thought I was finished having kids after Sam. We had a girl and a boy so I thought we didn’t need more. I never knew how much I needed you until you came. I am so glad that you came to our family. From day one of bringing you home, you have brought so much joy. I want to share with you a few things that I love about you. I could go on for pages, but for just today, I will stick with three.

First, you have this incredible ability to make everyone feel like they are the most special person in the world. You are so good about including everyone, listening to them, laughing with them, and playing the games that they like to play. You never speak bad about others. You are always quick to help another person in need. Just the other day after Maggie ate lunch with you, she shared how many people came up to her and asked if she was Millie’s big sister. She was amazed at how many kids, even older ones, know you and are friends with you. It is not because you are doing what people want you to do. You are liked because you are a GOOD PERSON. You really are so good down to your bones.

Second, you are such a creative person. I love all the imaginative games that you come up with, the dances you put on in your room for me to watch, and the science experiments that you conduct in the kitchen. You are rarely bored because you have this magical world inside you that comes out in your play. JoJo is so drawn to it and you are so kind to include her most of the times. I hope you always hold onto that magic. You take after Grandma Price in this. She has held onto the magic, even as a grandma, and because of there, it is so fun to be with her. Keep your magic. Let it grow so big that it explodes from your body. The world needs more of it.

Lastly, I love your drive to be better. We haven’t had to sit down with you too much and help you set goals. You will decide that you want to work on something and you have the self drive to finish it without help from an adult. It is really impressive how you will read your scriptures on your own at such a young age. You have been blessed with a great mind and a hard work ethic. Keep those things. But even be embarrassed about getting good grade in school. You will have a lot of success in life with those skills.

I love you so much,

Mom

Six. Ten Years

 6.10 Years

• Christmas is going strong here. We have been doing the different advent day calendars (I should say we did them the first half of the month but then it got to be too much for me so we just put the rest of the playmobiles together on the 24th), had the Happy Birthday celebration with the Rupps, cut out snow flakes, had Santa on the Fire Truck come to our house!!, and been trying to watch more Christmas movies. 
• You had your dance recital. You were putting on your costume for the dress rehearsal and you put in on backwards. The problem was is that the top is shear and there is a strip of fluff at the neckline. Backwards though, the shear v so low that it shows your nipples and add the fluff, it looked like Santa lingerie. I laughed so hard. You were great. Your music concert was cute. I love this time and seeing all the fun things you have been learning.
• We invited a few families over to the church to play floor hockey and chair soccer. It was really fun to run around on a Friday night. You were getting to god competitive on trying to score a goal, especially on against the moms. 
• We finally got to go skiing as a while family (JoJo included) for the first time. There wasn't much snow at Brundage, but we went for it. I have to laugh now, but Dad and I were so good about getting everything all ready the night before. I packed a bag with all our gloves, googles, and gators. Well, I forgot to grab the bag. It was cold, but not too bad. The lady in the car next to us in the parking lot, lend us her gloves so Sam and Maggie took turns with those while we bought new ones for you and JoJo. It was fun having you take me down during runs that were a bit harder. I love how you never complain, but it was even cuter how sweet and encouraging you were with JoJo. You wanted to stay with her on the smaller slop at the end.  
• Dad had to work the weekend before Christmas so we invited Laura Collins from Elk City to come out here for four days to spend it with us. You think Laura is so fun. I would find you, Sam, and JoJo all cuddle up in her bed with her in the mornings watching silly clips of dogs or something. One of the days, we went to Lewiston to go ice staking. It was harder than I thought for you kids. I grew up roller balding so ice staking hasn't been too hard for me, but you kids haven't been exposed as much, so it was fun to see you push yourself to learn. We got a big stack of buckets for you and JoJo and I would stake backwards while pulling them for you girls. We were laughing the whole time. We ended the night at Tomato Brothers and the Train park with the fun lights. It really felt special. 
• Christmas Eve was special. We have been going going all month. I really wanted to go to GHR to visit Grandmas with you kiddos, but I was visited out with RS. so after not seeing dad for the last four days, we just stayed home after church and chilled out. We watched a movie, played games, and got ready for our evening. That night, we had clam chowder in bread bowls by candle light, reenacted the Nativity story, sang We Three Kings, opened up robes for the hot tub, and wrote a letter to Santa. Your wrote in yours "Dear Santa, I want a robot that does everything. Love, Millie". I think we all want that Millie You all slept in your room. I dragged the kids tree into your room so you could sleep with the lights on. It was magically. 
• Christmas is so special. I love it. We told you kiddos to not call us until 7:30am on the Alexa. I think you guys woke up around 6 and just played with each other until we came down. I am amazed that none of you have figured out that you could just peek if you wanted to. Well, Santa brought you not a robot but your own purple remote controlled car. It was a hit. You also got ski socks, hair clips, your own hair coloring. Dad and I gave you a rainbow unicorn hoodie, a Ivy and Bean book, and a Lego friend set. Maggie gave you clothes for your dolls, Sam gave you a bead set, and JoJo gave you a unicorn surprise. We ended the night with the Browns coming over for Cafe Rio. 
• The week after Christmas was full of movies, playing switch,  friends over for hot tubing, and slow days. By the end of the week, you kids were ready to go again and have a crazy week in Utah.
• Utah was a big trip-drove to cabin, sledding at the cabin, video games with Caleb and Timothy, lot of boys time (shirtless sledding), staying up to midnight for New Years Eve, day in Provo with the Cowles, warm weather so we could play outside, Cedar city, hiking with both Price family, skiing at Brian Head, another day in Provo with the Barbers at the trampoline park, Brigham City, Day with Grandma and going bowling, building snowmen, and playing games, watching Wonka movie, up late for the last night. We were all so tired by the end, but it felt good to be with friends and family.

Six.Nine Months

 6.9 Months

• The chickens are getting to be too much for me. They aren't laying any eggs but take a lot of work in the winter. Your dad was just going to kill them. At first, you didn't want to kill them at all and I thought it was so sweet. But then you went a bit crazy and started talking about eating them. You are nutzo some times. In the end, I couldn't kill them so we found a new home for them. One of them ended up at the Kohrman's as a White Elephant gift. 
• The Browns are the new family/doctor so we have been trying to introduce them to new things here. This year, the weather was beautiful, so we took them up the mountain to cut down a free Christmas tree. It was fun stomping through the mud (no snow). You really liked all the tiny trees so we ended up picking out little ones for each of your rooms. 
• We spent Thanksgiving in Oregon. Some of the highlights were dodgeball at the school (you loved getting me out) and hungry hippos, last time at Grandma's old house (so you had to do the zip line and pull out all her paints and paint rocks), eating KFC on actually thanksgiving day, watching Wish with Grandma and Papa at the movie theaters, Thanksgiving dinner at Annie's with all the cousins and sushi, dressing up and making up plays, and ginger bread houses at the library. It was crazy and awesome at the same time. I love how you got a lot time with Sonora. She really is one of your favorite people. 
• I have also been able to start book club in your class this month. We started by reading Stink and the Ultimate Thumb War Smack Down. You are such a great reader. I have always known that, but you mostly read to yourself now, so I love hearing you read. I know it means a lot to you that I am able to go.

Six.Eight Years

 6.8 Years

• We celebrated my birthday by going to Winchester Lake as a family. your interested in actually fishing was little this trip, but you loved squishing the worms between your fingers, picking wild apples from the tree, and playing on the play structure. 
• We made a quick trip out to Oregon so Dad could work a few shifts out there. Friday morning, Grandpa watched your kiddos while Grandma and I went to the temple. He tried taking you yard selling, but there wasn't much out there. After lunch, we raced over to watch Karl's cross country race. We had just watched the movie about cross country and you thought the boys in the movie were cute. So when we got there and there were all these high school boys nice and fit, I loved teasing you about them. You just rolled your eyes at me. Sonora was there, and you two were lost in your own worlds. Karl PR and placed fairly high. After all the runner came in, we lined you all up and had you all race through the archway. We ended the night at Dusty's celebrating all of the October birthdays. Saturday was a fun day. We helped Grandma and Papa clean out their attics. We pulled out all the boxes and toys and was able to give give away so much stuff. Auntie Annie had never gone through her boxes before, so she was in the piano room with over 20 boxes to go through. You loved seeing all her old things. She kept giving you random stuff animals and ceramic bowls that she made in high school. They were all prized possessions to you, but I was going crazy with having to take more more stuff. We spent the night at Lainey's and was able to go to church in Stayton. 
• We celebrated JoJo's birthday this month. It was hard for you to not be right in all the action at her party, but I let you crash the Barbie movie part. 
• Halloween is this month. You wanted to be so many different ideas, but when the Jones' brought over their box of costumes, you saw the Space Jam costume and got so excited. Sometimes, you are so random in what you like. I can never get you to pick a princess or ballerina. I really was pushing for a BYU Cheerleader, but nope, Space Jam. I can't complain, I was the same way when I was your age. Out of all the kids, you are most like me. I love how unique you are and never will let gender get in the way of stopping you from what you want or like. We went to the Zechmanns for a big party, hosted a Harry Potter dinner with the Smiths at our house, Trunk-o-treat with the church, and ended with Halloween out on the town. This year, they had hay rides at the city trunk-o-treat. We tried going house to house with kids this year. It got a little crazy trying to coordinate everyone. We ended up with you, Sam Stone, and Walter from your class. It was cold, but bearable this year. I did lose our keys, so Dad had to ran back to his car on main street and rescue us. 
• You got your reading buddy. It is a monkey (kind of ugly to be honest). You are so excited to fill out that chart every day. I also have been able to go in and start book club in your class. It has been great to be able to volunteer in your class. You are such a great reader. We are reading Stink and the Thumb War book. 

Six.Seven Years

 6.7 Years

• Soccer has been a big part of this month. I have been coaching Sam's team and your games are at the same time as his so I haven't been able to go much. Both Maggie and Dad were able to go cheer for you, and I was able to catch the last two games. It was fun to see you get more into the game from last year. I liked how you were going after the ball and even trying to score. You were so excited to report back to me that you made a goal during one of the games. The best part is seeing you be a goofball with your friends on the side lines. You are so good about playing with anyone and making them feel special. Lane and Lucas are good wrestle buddies. I have to laugh because there is a boy at school who has been coming down to watch you play. I asked you about it and you said, "oh Scott has a crush on me but don't tell him but I like someone else." You were bashful in telling me that you liked Brian Brown. 
  
• Dad went backpacking with Uncle Mark, so we made a quick trip out to Oregon and entertain us while we was gone. We helped out in the yard for a while and Grandma and Papa were nice to pay you guys in Lego coupons. It turned into a fun afternoon in Canby, with a lunch at the park, walking around the little stores, buying a lego set at the lego store, and ending with ice cream. That night, all of you guys had a sleep over at the Price's while the adults went to the temple. I guess I forgot your pjs, so you that it was silly to wear Jessie's. Saturday was filled with Ocktober fest. It was huge. All the families came. We bought some fun food, your favorite being the dumplings. We waited forever for the trampoline ride, but you loved jumping on it. 
• It was homecoming week, which meant a lot of dress up days. The first day was pj day (one of your favorite), Tuesday was twin day (you and Rece coordinated outfits all on your own), Wednesday you wore green, and Thursday was blue and white day and also the jog-a-thon. We painted your face and was excited to run through the bubbles. You are Cecily were running buddies. I laughed how you girls planned out when to drink. It made it fun to run with a friend.
• You got another sleepover this month while Dad and I were at a BYU game. This time, you went to Cecily's house. They took you to the homecoming game. All of you kids were sleeping at different homes, but you all ended up at the game. 

Six.Six Years

 6.6 Years

• Dad and I went on a couple's overnight trip so each of you kids got a sleep over. You and JoJo went to Megan's house. You had a blast. She took you to the farmer's market where you got cotton candy. After we picked you up, Dad and I had to rush over to Lewiston for a church meeting so it was the first time that Maggie babysat you for that long of a time. You guys got to chill and watch two movies after having a big day at friends houses. 
• This month we got to go to Utah to celebrate Mark and Kami's wedding. It was a whirlwind of a trip, but it was one of your highlights for the summer. We got there in the middle of the night Wednesday night so we could have all Thursday to spend with Grandma and Papa Matthews. We ran and out you back to school hair cuts, checked out DI with Grandma, played at the splash pad where it turned into a huge water war of your kids verses this other family of kids, and ended the night with going to see TNMT with cousins. On Friday, we got to do some back to school shopping on the way down to Provo and have lunch at Chic-fil-a. I know that is not much, but I liked having that morning as just a family. We made it to the temple just in time. All of you cousins waited in the room off to the side. The sealing was beautiful and we were able to take pictures afterwards. We ended the night with dinner up the canyon. We spent the night at Amelia's house. We crammed all five of you girls into their room. Grandma and Papa Price were in town for Education Week along with Uncle Josh's family. That morning Grandpa treated all you kids to $5 at the DI. I laugh at that, but that DI was huge. We joked that it was the Walmart of DIs. You choose this stuffed animal backpack and these white fluffy ear muffs. You wore those ear muffs none stop, even though it was August. You fell in love with so many items, that you convinced JoJo to pick out this life size Elsa doll with creepy hair. I can't believe we have to ride home with that doll. We grabbed a quick lunch at their house and then headed to the Provo Rec Center for a few hours. It was crazy trying to do all you girls hair in that family bathroom, but it all worked out in the end. The Wedding was beautiful. You loved having all your cousins there. Being a flower girl fulfilled our your wedding fantasies. You got the other flower girls to follow Kami around, holding up her train as she greeted different guest. You made both Kami and Mark feel like they were the best people in the world. It dumped while we were eating dinner, but thankfully, there were enough canopies to cover us and the moment dinner was over, the rain stopped. We dance and sang karaoke. You kids drank so much soda and stayed up way late. It was definitely a celebration. 
• Oh boy, school started. You are going into first grade with Mrs. Moore as your teacher. You were thrilled that she was Sam's teacher, so you knew she was going to be good. Recess and music has been some of your favorites. Soccer also started this week. You have Sam Stone on your team.
• Grandma and Papa Price came for a few days. It was fun having them. You loved showing off the garden (of course while still wearing those ear muffs), and your latest jumps on the trampoline. They helped out with driving for soccer practice and enjoyed a hike and bike ride up at fish creek. The big thing was that we took them on a float trip with some of our friends.