Zoe is 7!

Zoe is having a birthday Zoe will be turning seven on Tuesday. In honor of her special day we sat down at family counsel today to make a list of the things that make Zoe special. Here is the short list. Zoe is:

a reader

determined/tenatious

a singer

detail oriented

a great helper

doesn't snore

(this was Molly's comment, to which Zoe replied "when I had curly hair I snored")

a runner

a great student

good at sharing

Other fun facts about Zoe, when we measured her on the wall for her birthday we discovered that Zoe at seven is the same height Molly was at six. We of course used this as an opportunity to encourage Zoe to eat more healthy foods. We'll see how that works out.

As we missed making a list of things we love about Heidi for her birthday we made one for her today as well. Here it is.

She is the straw that stirs the drink-she makes the fun

she tries new things

she exaggerates

she is funny

she is a fighter and sticks up for herself

(she was proud to announce that she "bounced Molly down on the tramp" at Grandma's house)

she is kind

she is a good friend

Last, but not least, the kids made a list of things they love about mom. This was a little tough because they started to get silly and then had a hard time getting out of the tailspin. Here is the results of their efforts: Mom

is patient

puts up the Christmas tree

is a mom

makes cookies

takes us shopping

does laundry and keeps clothes clean

lets the kids help

is a good cook

helps with homework

has a testimony

sacrifices for our family

takes us to church

It is a really sweet list. I know they love me, if they would only show it by actually doing the things I ask them to do. I wish I had the motivating power that Santa does this time of year. I don't, but I am willing to take his name in vain to accomplish my purposes. It is one of the joys of being a parent.

Oh, I asked my kids to write letters to Santa today. Zoe said she didn't need to because Santa already knows what she wants. When they didi all sit down and put pencil to paper it was a regurgitation of the American Girl catalogue. Santa will just have to figure this one out on his own. It is a good thing Mrs. Clause is pretty sharp.;)