I’ve been doing a post called Sister Update ever since the girls were little. My first one was just over six years ago. I put a search into the blog for the title of Sister Update and saw the progression through the years. That kind of blew me away. They were baby sisters once. Now, just take a look – baby sisters no longer. With the age comes good and bad. They are so much fun for each other when they want to be. They are good companions, good play mates, they make each other laugh, and they watch out for each other – again, when they want to be. Maybe it was easier when Lyla was younger and wanted nothing more than to entertain and please her big sister. But, now Lyla has a personality of her own, and it doesn’t include always wanting to please her big sister, but that’s ok. So, while there is still lots of love, there’s bickering at times, annoying each other at times, and times when they just need to play apart. However, I know that’s just part of being sisters. I’m thankful that they love each other, and I’m thankful God gave us two unique and different girls to add lots of color and conversation to our lives.
Speaking of conversation, if there ever was a talker, it’s Nina. I have no idea how many words and thoughts circle from her brain and out her mouth on a daily basis, but let’s just say it’s a LOT. At times it can be exhausting, but I’d rather have her talk a ton then not talk to us much at all. From the minute she gets up and moving until we close the door to her room at night, she’s talking. There’s always something to be said. If she ever runs out of things to talk about, she’ll just ask, “So, what do you think we should talk about next.” She still holds my hand when we’re walking together or puts her arm around my waist and we walk and talk. That’s my Nina.
She still loves to dance and is quite a good tumbler. She gets none of her tumbling skills from me. I can hardly cartwheel, but it’s “her thing” and we love to watch her. She’s a frog lover (her room is full of little frog stuffed animals), and even though she’s eight, she still sleeps with her blankie every night. The same one she’s had since she was a baby. She’s a good student, she loves chocolate, and she loves that dog. No surprise there.
Lyla is our six year old, growing like a weed, first grader. Her early years started out as a shy little girl who was often hiding behind my leg or wanting me to hold her. Gone are those days for sure! While she can still be shy in initial situations meeting someone, she is much more outgoing than she used to be. Lyla is our resident comedian and obsessive collector of junk (you name it, she’ll be happy to collect it). Currently she resides on Planet Lyla. If you’ve ever asked your child, what planet are you on???, you know what I mean. Our answer to that question is quite simply, Planet Lyla. There’s a lot that happens on Planet Lyla that I wouldn’t fathom happening on my planet, but then again, I don’t reside on Planet Lyla.
Jokes aside, Lyla is a joy to our family. She loves to get a laugh, she’s a great bike rider (probably will end up a race car driver some day), and she’s a good reader. She is almost always dirty or trying to find a way to get dirty, she plays soccer, and when you get past the goofy stuff, she’s got a sensitive heart. Just this week I had lunch with her at school, and she broke down in tears and sobs when I had to leave. She just wanted me to stay longer with her or her to come home from school with me. Every night she asks for us to pray that she doesn’t have bad dreams, and interestingly enough, she asks us to pray for her to have wisdom (which we all need but which we are more than happy to pray for Lyla). She’s one of a kind!
I would write about the furry third sister, but I’m running out of time, and I’m still mad at her for chewing the top off my favorite water bottle. Perhaps one day, Cayenne will permanently reside on Planet Good Dog instead of Planet Naughty Puppy. There’s always hope!
