Happy 6th Birthday, Nora!

Nora turned 6 yesterday! She was super giddy waking up; I wish I recorded it so that I can remember it when she's older. She's still little enough that she was jumping up and down with excitement and super stoked to see her birthday presents all laid out on the table.

At 6, Nora is STILL obsessed with blanket. We've told her after her brithday this year, Blanket goes to the attic and can only be taken down once a year on her birthday. She seems okay with it but we'll see what actually happens when he's taking away. I think if Blanket is not there, she'll just find a tshirt as a substitute.

She's getting much better at reading, but doesn't seem to like reading too much. I hope we just have to find her the right books and she'll take off like her sister. She does, however, seem to be chomping at the bit to play an instrument so we bought her a ukelele and she was strumming and humming all over the place yesterday. She's also getting really good at biking and can't wait to get a big girl bike like her sister, where she has real brakes and can go mountain biking with the big kids. She's also pretty good with hiking - she very rarely complains now and likes to be the leader of the pack. I'm always impressed how her little legs can keep going!

She's still figuring out how to respond to situations and easily screams and cries in frustration. We've been working on trying to find the right words instead of crying, and to come up with solutions when things don't go the way she wants them to. It's tough being the youngest in their little friends group because she doesn't seem to get the social nuances and cues the other kids are giving and then gets super frustrated. 

Nora still loooooves chocolate and anything sweet. She is motivated by candy and can be easily bribed with even just gum. What with all the sweets in her tummy, it's no wonder she's can be such a little sweetie pie - she is constantly siding up to me to cuddle and hug and tell me how much she loves me. You have to catch her at the right time though because when she's not in the mood, she will definitely let you know! 

I can't imagine our lives without this gal; she brings us so much joy and love and keeps us on our toes. Happiest of birthdays to Nora!

 

How can it not be a good day when you wake up to all these presents at the breakfast table?

She was very excited to get Pokemon cards

Nora and I goofing around

She's so funny. She wrote herself a birthday note. It says: Happy Birthday to you Nora I love you I like you.

Taking a deep breath before blowing out candles.

I made her a chocolate + Strawberry ice cream cake. She insisted on chocolate icing, which I put on too slowly and you can see how drippy the sides got before freezing.