This little girl has become quite the stellar young lady. I have to say that she is helpful, thoughtful, and a great older sister to her three siblings. She even tells me that we should have more kids. After I choke, I smile and give her a big hug and say, "Bless your little heart."
Just in this last year, she has gone to two different schools, (because we were in UT having Logan for 4 months) danced in a football halftime show, won an art contest, choreographed songs for her 2nd grade Christmas Concert, skied down her first hill, and read a gazillion books. Also this year, she has traveled to Italy (3 times), Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria.
She is excited to go home for the summer before we move to another European location and is actually excited to move to a new school next year, though she will be leaving many friends behind. She has had a tough time trying to stop sucking her thumb this year, but I am pleased to say after 8 years (gasp!) She finally doesn't suck her thumb anymore. I strongly discourage having children suck on appendages. It sucks to wean them. Pun totally intended. ;) Maleia stopped 2 years ago and was easy to wean, but Haley was a toughie just because it was such a habit. She didn't want to suck her thumb, she just couldn't help it.
Here are some interesting facts about Haley:
1. She HATES to be tickled! She will do anything to prevent someone from tickling her.
2. She is SUPER competitive. She is pretty ruthless at winning and gets crushed when she loses.
3. She is SPEEDY! I like to think it's from my side of the family. :) She's got those long legs and she can book it! For example, there was a boy that lived near here and he lived in a home with a huge yard. At the far end of the yard there was a tree and the boy challenged Haley to a race to the tree and back. Both of our families were there and before we knew it, the boy took off (before Haley) so of course Haley yelled foul as she was running, passed him and got to the tree. The boy was only a little more than halfway to the tree and saw Haley turn around at the tree, so he decided to turn around too. Smart boy. At least this way he might have had a chance. But NO! Haley, seeing this, of course yelled at him for cheating and still passed him before reaching the finish line still biting his head off for cheating. Right now, there is only one boy in her grade who can beat her in a foot race according to her gym teacher.
4. She READS an entire book in an hour and a half or less. She literally eats up books. We have to cut her off.
5. She is RESPONSIBLE. She can help cook, clean, and help with the baby. Not only that, but she volunteers. Yes, I will milk it for as long as possible.
6. She has chosen to be baptized. In our church, you can be baptized when you are 8 years old, but I didn't want her to be baptized just because it's something she CAN do. I told her that she didn't have to be baptized if she didn't feel right about it. I want her to be baptized because she WANTS to and believes it's right. She has been praying every night and she told me that she still feels good about it. I am very proud of her for making this decision, but I am more proud of her for who she has become.
