Bug-love is Nine!

My beautiful Bug is official 9!  She’s a wonderful, sensitive soul and has a huge heart.  For her birthday she wanted to share the experience of swimming with a dolphin.  It was a blast for both of us, our animal loving hearts. 

We got to swim in the 10ft water, play games with Ping and receive and give kisses  and even dance.  Their tails are so powerful and amazing.  At one point Ping’s tail push up against one leg and the muscle, motion and movement of the water gave me an idea of  force it was capable of.  To watch her eyes close in pleasure as we ‘petted’her was lovely. 

Even more wonderful was to see my girl’s response to the wonder of it all.  The whispered anticipations and questions, her smile that lit up her eyes and her renewed desire to help protect all things living. 

This girl is just a bundle of love, for everyone and everything.  If someone is hurt or sad, shes the first to think of ways to cheer them up or to give loves and hugs.  A bug that needs saving from the pool will occupy her until it revives again and she sends it on it's way.

Ladybug watch

I have loved watching her relationship develop with Isaac.  While there are still the usual fights between siblings close in age, she is the first to defend him and when she calms down she can see things from his point of view.  They joke with each other more and she practices patience to play the many games he makes up for them.  

Pumpkin adores her!  She's alway's mimicking her style and Keila has found pride in teaching her sister the things she has learned and doing things that only girls can truely enjoy together, like painting nails and doing their hair.

Bubby seeks her out when he needs a hug.  If neither Kent or I are avaliable, he turns to her next which says a great deal about her character.  The great thing is that she truly seems to understand him, even with as few words as he has.  Perhaps this is why he feels so secure with her.

Our birthday dinner out.

She is thoughtful in nature, seeking to understand the characters in books and the actions of friends around her.  Randomly she'll ask me why someone might do as they do, or offers different perspective when the other kiddos are struggling with other's choices.  I've often wondered if her struggles with anxiety has made her more compassionate than most children her age.  

We went with an ocean themed cake and I tried ganache and used molding chocolate for the decor.  

I'm so grateful to be given the blessing of being her mother!  She brings a tenderness to our whole family and we can't imagine life without her!