13

Happy 13th birthday to our first born baby girl, Erika!  We cannot believe how lucky we have been to have this sweet young woman in our lives every day for the past 13 years.  Erika is truly the most kind, loving, compassionate, humble, funny, encouraging, smart and dedicated new teenager.  She has always played the role of big sister well but at this time of new routines and staying home and home learning, we are so fortunate that she is here to look after and encourage and entertain her brother and sister while we work.  Erika loves decorating, taking care of little kids, spaghetti, art, taking pictures, Panda Express, sweets, and being with friends.  She does not like action movies, chicken cordon bleu, being forced to stay home, having a surprise ruined, or cleaning the bathrooms. Every year is honestly better to watch her grow than the last year.  No one told me how much fun it would be as a mom to watch this child who you have raised and loved and taught become their own independent person.  Erika is very similar to me in many ways, but I am constantly amazed where she excels in areas that I do not.  She is an amazing artist....her photography is lovely and thoughtful; her poetry in deep and true; her drawings are lifelike and cute; her sense of decor is inspirational and mature.  She expresses her thoughts rationally to us and has deep convictions of justice.  Erika is an extreme optimist and many times has encouraged her girlfriends with positive words and suggestions when they have been depressed or disappointed.  She is a friend to everyone, even the kids who annoy her.  Her teachers and classmates know her as someone who helps others selflessly and does her best work in everything. The emerging teenager part of Erika reared its ugly head at times this past year with declarations of "you can't tell me what to do" and "I'm not doing that" during a few discussions.  Although it is frustrating to deal with, we are glad Erika has a level head enough to calm down and talk about underlying issues when she gets to that point of frustration.  She is nearly as tall as me, about a half-inch shorter, and I suspect she isn't quite done growing yet.  She is the first kid who wants to accompany us on little errands and it is a lot of fun to talk with her one on one in the car, although exhausting because she has a lot to say!  We are blessed and proud to be called her parents and thank God every day for taking care of our child and developing her into a Christ-like woman who loves with her entire heart.  We love you Baby Boo!!

1. What is your favorite color?  Maya Blue
2. What is your favorite sport? Soccer
3. What is your favorite fruit?  Raspberries
4. What is your favorite movie? Aladdin
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac and cheese
6. What is your favorite subject in school? Math
7. What is your favorite game? Rocks
8. What is your favorite snack? Nutri-grain bars
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog
10. What is your favorite song?  “22” by Taylor Swift
11. What is your favorite book? Best Friends Next Door
12. Who is your best friend? Kennedy, Moorea and Emma
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Swing on the black swing
15. What is your favorite drink? Dutch Bros Cotton Candy Frost
16. What is your favorite holiday? 4th of July
17. What is your favorite restaurant? Wendy’s
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Spaghetti and meatballs and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? An interior designer

 My favorite birthday memory of Erika...she wanted a "blue princess rock" and was so grateful when she opened her present.

Who knew this three year old would grow to have quite the sense of fashion!