Kylie turns 8

 Our Kylie Jean, rarely called Kylie by those who know her well.  She gets called Beans just as much as Kylie if not more.  No one ever decides to call their darling daughter Beans, it just happens, but it fits somehow.  Kylie is such a sweet loving girl, becoming even more tenderhearted and always thinking of others.  When I asked her what kind of cake she wanted she said "well, I like cherry, but Karinda doesn't" so she proceeded to ask her sister what kind of cake she wanted.  We settled with a chocolate cake and white frosting with strawberries on top.  Kylie loves tons of fruits and veggies, but is not the biggest fan of meat, which I think makes her a very healthy eater.  She still is like any normal kid, or person that is, and loves treats and junk too.  Fruit snacks are a big weakness for her.  She takes hot lunch almost everyday and that helps to make the mornings more smooth.

Kylie is a second grader at Innocademy.  She starts her days before school at devotions and on Friday's at piano lessons.  She tolerates ELA (english language arts) and loves math.  Innocademy is traditional school flipped up side down and we love it.  The school goes on a year round schedule, and they put a big focus on global, hands on learning, and stewardship.  She loves her teacher Ms. Cyndi, and she is in class with her cousin Gage, and her best friend Ella, but she seems to be a friend to everyone.

 I am hoping she is so good at school and only talks when she should, and that is why she talks almost non-stop from when I pick her up from school until she goes to bed.  She loves to play with babies and comes up with incredible stories.  She usually has around 6 kids hanging off her stroller or being cared for here or there.  We are pretty sure she will have a big family.  I think that with Kylie's imagination she could come up with a really good plot, and with Karinda's writing abilities they could write some pretty awesome books.  That would mean getting along, which they can sometimes do, but they surely have their moments as well.  When Kylie was having some playground trouble this fall and was crying at school, I heard that Karinda marched on over to the situation and told those kids they needed to all play together and be nice.  Even if they can't admit it, I know they care and love each other.  They have a system figured out for bath nights where Karinda will get in the shower and plug the drain and when she is ready they will both get in and play Barbies for a bit until Karinda gets mad or sick of it and gets out.

 Kylie got some Lego's and she loved putting them together.  She is a little like her dad because they will now stay together, but she does play with them a little.

The one thing Kylie requested was "fart putty", Saddie and Maggie are quite in awe of the new gift.

Kylie has developed a new love for gymnastics even though we didn't watch much of the olympics this year.  She has spent many hours in the front yard perfecting her skills and took gymnastics at Zeeland Rec.

Kylie we love you so very much and are so very proud of you!  Even with another big year of changes, with moving back to Michigan and Daddy being gone a lot, you are even keeled and steady.  We can't wait to see what God has in store for you, we are sure it will be a very special job.