Haleigh is 8

 As I do every year when one of the girls' birthday rolls around, I can't help but think back to when they were born. With Haleigh, I just can't forget those long thirteen days past her due date. It seemed she would never be ready...and then all of a sudden, she was ready. 

Haleigh has been counting down the days until her eighth birthday. She's pretty sure that since she learned so much in 2021, she'll be a lot smarter in 2022. (Her words, not mine.) I'm pretty sure she's right, though. 

Here's the quick synopsis of life as an 8-year old: 

Sleeping- Haleigh and Lydia share a room. They typically go to bed around 7:30ish. Haleigh is usually the first one up, somewhere around 6:30. She sleeps with a variety of stuffies in bed with her and likes the night light on. I frequently find her in Lydia's bed, especially on windy nights when Haleigh doesn't like to sleep near the window.

Clothes: Most of her clothes are either a 7/8 or a sz small. She's wearing mostly hand-me-downs at this point and some of them have shrunk. She's got her own style and likes to wear clothes where the top and bottom are the same color. She won't wear jeans. And would wear her winter coat all the time if we let her! Shoes are a size 13. 

Activities: Haleigh has a variety of things that she will do, but not any singular favorite activity. She's content to play by herself and I will often find her in her room after school playing dolls or legos. She's recently started reading more and likes to read before bed but doesn't just pick up a book to read for fun. Haleigh is taking a contemporary dance class once a week and also takes piano lessons. She loves to listen to music on Alexa and make up her own dance moves and will also spend lots of time in 'The Jazzy Music Room' which is a website the school music teacher put together. 

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite School Activity: Recess

Favorite Thing to Play at Home: the Tetris puzzle

I love this smile...and she seems to be losing teeth much faster than they are growing back in!

Haleigh is thoughtful, quiet at school but full of all sorts of fun thoughts and ideas at home, loves singing and dancing, and takes everything very literally. You can just watch her mind work and she takes in the things around her and processes what they mean. She asks really good questions, but doesn't always care to hear the answer!