Happy eighth birthday Hannah!

My dear sweet Hannah,

This certainly wasn’t the letter I wanted to write to you on your eighth birthday.

It’s your first birthday without your dad. To be 8 years old and not have your dad is around is something I can’t even imagine.

This year has been rough on you. But at the same time you have shown amazing strength and love, so much far beyond your years. Through it all, you have been a rock for so many people. I sit here with tears in my eyes as I think of you and the year ahead for us—so many “firsts” without your dad.

You’re so young, sensitive and have such a heart. You have the qualities as an 8-year-old that I wish many adults had. You’re smart, beautiful, caring, loving and amazing.

Eight years ago our lives changed in the best way possible. I admit we were scared as new parents and wondering how we were going to raise this little girl. We knew we had a big job to do and we wanted to do it right. We wanted to teach you how to be the best girl ever.

You, my darling, have been the one to teach us.

You have taught me so many things. You have been my rock. I’ve learned some pretty valuable lessons from you. And when it comes to buying gifts for people, you have the best ideas. I can’t take credit for a lot of the gifts because you come up with it. You get to know people, know their hearts, know what makes them happy and you want them to smile, even when your heart isn’t smiling.

I love that about you.

I’m so grateful for you. I couldn’t go through this life without you sweetie. You’ve always been the glue holding our family together. Without you, we aren’t complete.

I thank God every day for bringing you to us. This day is more than just your birthday to me. It’s the day God gave me the most precious gift I could ever receive.

Happy eighth birthday sweetheart. You are strong, determined and beautiful. We will always have each other and your dad will always be your guardian angel, looking down at you and protecting you. He’s always by your side.

I love you my sweet baby,
Mommy

Week 12–second grade

We were given quite a bit this week :). Looks like they were saving up!

Some math:

If you notice #25 it says to explain how you know the number is even. She says “I know because my mom teached me” :). So cute! I can’t believe they didn’t give her credit for it

Learning about money:

This week was Thanksgiving week so they are learning about Thanksgiving:

On Thanksgiving I at delicious and mouth watering foods. On Thanksgiving Day I love to see my cousins.  My favorite food to eat is mashed potatoes with gravy.  I enjoy Thanksgiving because we get to see family. I am excited for Thanksgiving. 

My grandma cooks the turkey. She puts stuffing inside. The mashed potatoes are my favorite. I made a gravy volcano. 

(I asked Hannah what she meant by a gravy volcano and she said she had no idea)

Some testing was done:

Some English and learning about sentences:

It warmed my heart to see this in her bag:

Not sure where she gets “her horse”. I think she’s trying to claim one of Auntie April’s :) 

Santa Pizza Train

We knew this years holiday season was going to be hard. I wanted to do some things different. One thing we had never done was go on a Santa Pizza Train. We got to see Santa, have pizza and have a cookie with hot chocolate while on a 2-hour train ride. It was so much fun!

On our way! Hannah with her friend, Khloe

The train