Quinn is Eight!

Eight might be the Year of Quinn. This girl wants nothing more than to either be big - or attached in every way to my body (there may be some slight anxiety about the upcoming school year). She is excited to tackle 3rd grade, fall soccer, and 8U hockey. She's also reminding me that she misses gymnastics. I'm reminding her that there are only so many evenings in a week.

During the Summer of Feral Children, Quinn decided that she does her own showers now. I will occasionally insist on doing her hair (there is SO MUCH of it to rinse) - but for the most part, she does it all. It's a pretty great skill, since she's constantly dirty and sweaty from running around outside. Her kitchen skills are also developing quite well. She made beer bread this week, mostly by herself (including grabbing and pouring the beer). I only helped by putting it in and taking it out of the oven. 

Quinn's competitive spirit is still going strong. Ever since I reorganized the games, she has been delighting in playing games. Life has been quite popular - and I can say from experience that Q is both cutthroat and strategic while playing. She is so excited for hockey season - and actual games. She participated in a summer skate clinic (and will do a fall one too), but nothing replaces the rush of actual games for Q!

I've been calling Q my "snuggle bear" lately. She loves to be on my lap or right.next.to.me most of the time. The uncertainty of this year is a lot for my little anxious bunny to handle. She has done such a great job managing the unexpected and all the changes. She's very excited to go back to school, even though it will be different. Seeing her friends, leaving our house, and getting back to any sense of normalcy is exactly what she is craving!

At Quinn's well check last week, she was declared wonderfully healthy. Q was 50 lbs (22 percentile) and 49.5" tall (37 percentile). She's long, lean, and solid muscle! We can't wait to see how Quinn continues to develop her passions this year. She is so determined to perfect her skills in hockey and in the kitchen. Her eyes gleam when she finds something she loves - and it is wonderful to watch. As Q gains more and more independence, her skills will only grow. It will be a great year!

Finally, the answers to the annual birthday questions are:

   Favorite color: Orange

   Favorite friend: Evelyn

   Favorite show: Kids Baking Championship

   Favorite book: Magic Treehouse series

   Favorite movie: Freaky Friday (Lindsay Lohan version)

   Favorite song: Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
   Favorite food: Tacos

   Favorite thing to do: Cook

   Be when you grow up: Chef