Erika is Nine!

We can't believe our little girl is nine years old!  She is so much fun to be around and we are truly blessed to be able to raise such a sweetheart.  Erika is so tender-hearted, funny, smart, active, and an all-around great girl.  She has grown a lot this year in many different ways: physically, emotionally, and in her school work.  Her favorite things include being outside doing anything active, eating out at restaurants, reading, making outfits for Laurel and Levi, and any sweet treat.  She is pretty impulsive and if things don't go right for her the first time, she struggles coming up with a different solution.  But she is working to keep a cool head in all situations!  Erika is comfortable around everyone....she LOVES being with babies and we are completed with how mature she is around adults.  Her heart is so soft for everyone.  She defends friends at school who are getting picked on, she wants to give help to people on the street, and she frequently checks up on people who we have been praying for.  She continues to be the best big sister!  She makes up really fun games for the kids to play, she reads to them, and she fiercely protects them.  Erika can get a little bossy to Laurel and Levi and likes to repeat instructions that I just gave.  The older Erika gets, the more she firmly has her plans and let's me know what she feels.  It's been an adjustment for me to raise a child who speaks their mind instead of a little one who just does what is asked with no fuss.  Although we struggle sometimes, it has been great being able to guide Erika and help her figure out how to handle her emotions and responses.  And our love and respect for one another have been able to grow with these new developments.  We love our little girl so much and are very proud to be Erika's parents!  You are an amazing, talented, precious gift to us Little Boo-Bear!!

1. What is your favorite color?  Blue
2. What is your favorite toy?  American girl doll
3. What is your favorite fruit?  Cantaloupe
4. What is your favorite movie? 

Star Wars Force Awakens
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Panda Express
6. What is your favorite subject in school? Math
7. What is your favorite game? Spot It
8. What is your favorite snack? Oatmeal bars
9. What is your favorite animal?  Puppy
10. What is your favorite song?  Rotten to the Core
11. What is your favorite book?  Baby-Sitters Club
12. Who is your best friend?  Gracie
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Running around
15. What is your favorite drink?  Root beer
16. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
17. What is your favorite restaurant?  Panda Express
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  French toast
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Spaghetti and meatballs
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Fashion designer