Sienna's Play

Well, it has been awhile since I have made an entry.  Why?  We have had a whirlwind of rehearsals and 11 shows of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!  Yes, 11 shows. Our Sienna had so much fun, so did mom.  But it is so nice to be back to normal, almost.  While we had two weeks of shows, Toby and I decided to rearrange our house a bit.  We moved 4 rooms.  The girls to our room, us to their room, the playroom to the girls' room and the office next to our room.  It was way more of a job than we anticipated and not the best timing on our part.  Talk about chaos.  We are almost back to normal in the house, but now really want to paint.  We'll see if that happens. 

 

And now back to Sienna's play.  There were seven Oompa Loompas and they had several appearances on stage from rearranging candy trees to singing and dancing their little hearts out.  I could not believe that every time I got to watch the play (3 times) that I would get choked up!!  I was just so excited for Sienna and seeing how much she enjoys what she is doing.  It was neat to see her make new friends and also be a leader.  I look forward to her next play, but we are definitely taking a break.  She may try out again in the fall, but we have a lot coming up and need to have less busyness.

 

Sienna had many people come and see her play.  Grampy, Grammy, Grandma, Aunty, Uncle Greg, Aunt Sandy came twice, Uncle Tom, the Ahrnsbraks, Vincents, Mossey's, Ching Man and maybe more.  It is late and I need to get to bed, but really wanted to write about our drama girl's first real play!  Toby and I are so proud of her.  Even Ellie.  When she saw the stage (after being there for hours with me as Toby had a sudden business trip also during this busy time!!) she pointed and said "Sienna play!"  Yes, Sienna's play.  Little miss Ellie loved going to rehearsals and being in the green room with mom as she was utterly spoiled by the kids who bought her candy and all sorts of stuff.  Way to much sugar, to be sure.  But what do you expect when the theme of the show is chocolate!

Sienna's Birthday

Our dear sweet Sienna turned 8 years old yesterday!  Eight!!  She has grown up so much. 

 

 But she has seemed grown up beyond her years from birth.  She is such a bright girl and a thoughtful girl.  She really cares about other's feelings.  This wasn't the case when she was little.  If you wanted a hug or kiss, "no" would be the answer.  We think it went along with her personality of getting attention!!  She is very compassionate now.  I was a little worried, but she has amazed us with her caring and love for people, especially family.  She saves up her money to get the family gifts.  She takes great care in picking out just what she thinks that person will love.  For example, she bought each of us a valentine's gift.  For dad, some candy hearts, for Ellie a Winnie the Pooh pez dispenser with candy, and for me chocolate.  And if that wasn't enough, she spotted some lollipops another day and added that to each of our gifts along with her cards.  She couldn't wait to do Valentines.  Even tried to reason her way into us celebrating a day or two early.  We did wait until Valentine's day,though.

 

If you were to ask her what her favorite thing to do is...she would answer spending time with her family.  She is so family-oriented.  She loves her friends, too, but if she has spent a lot of time with them, she will decline doing something with them to be with the family because she misses us.  That makes our hears so full when we see that.

 

She is at Charlie and the Chocolate Factory rehearsal right now.

 

Her actual birthday was yesterday.  We went and got her pictures done in her brand new outfit that she got to pick out and she took cupcakes to drama class and then we picked her up and went to a restaurant of her choice, Red Robin, along with our Chinese Exchange student, Ching Man, and "Uncle" Tom and "Aunt" Sandy.  She had a great day!  We will celebrate again next weekend when the family is here to see her first play.  Then we will bake a cake!  Which brings me to another subject...

 

She loves to bake and cook.  She gets so excited.  And loves to have people over for dinner.  She thinks of ways to get the house all special for people and thinks of foods we should have.   She gets so excited.  She is just so much fun.  Toby and I already talk about how fun it will be to go to her house someday when she is grown.  Dinner will be delightful and she will always have plenty to talk about.

 

Sienna, you really brighten up our lives and add so much pizzaz to everyday life!  We are so thankful for God's plans for this family.  He knew exactly what we were missing in our lives until you came.  Thank you for being tender to God's ways and doing what is right even when your friends are not.  We are so proud of you.

 

And you just amaze us with your witnessing.  You gave away 2 invitations to store clerks for a special service at church, C.S.I.  You are much braver than daddy and I in that area.  You have taught us so much!  My prayer for you is that you will continue to love God and get to know Him more and more each day.  May you allow Him to guide your life always.  He loves you more than all of us.  How is that possible?  Only God knows.  

 

Love you sweet girl,

 

Mama