Can you believe it… this girl turns SIX today!
In some ways, I suppose these six years have gone pretty quickly, but in many other ways, I have “felt” every single day of the past 6 years!
Nora served us a crash-course in parenting, with a large dose of humility on the side (and I’m certain we are better parents now because of it).
As many of you know, Nora has always been our “more” child — everything is MORE with her.
- More happy
- More sad
- More enthusiastic
- More stubborn
- More frustrating
- More fabulous
- More exhausting
- More exciting
She requires more of my attention, more of my patience, more of my energy, more of my time, and more discipline than our other kids… I have a feeling this will always be the case.
About the only things she didn’t do MORE of was sleep 🙂
I can’t complain anymore though; she now sleeps 11-12 hours straight every night with no issues whatsoever — but boy did it take us a LOOOOOONG time to get there!
At this point, I could probably write an entire book about Nora, her very big personality, and all the crazy stories I have from the past 6 years — but since we’re coming up on a long holiday weekend, I’ll keep it short and sweet!
The honest truth is, I have often thanked God for giving us Nora FIRST — because if she would have been our 2nd or 3rd child, I’m fairly confident we wouldn’t have had any more!
Now that she’s 6 (and looking awfully grown up these days) she has started to learn how to channel her “more” personality in positive ways.
- She is very smart and loves everything about school.
- She basically picked up reading overnight and now reads books to ME before bed!
- She is interested in every craft imaginable and constantly comes up with creative ways to use different craft supplies and tools.
- She rarely forgets anything.
- She is very independent — to the point where I feel like she could practically survive without me as long as she had a step-stool!
- She has a crazy fashion sense, and every outfit is carefully planned out the night before — down to the socks, shoes, and jewelry.
- She exudes confidence and truly doesn’t seem to worry about what others think of her.
One of my favorite Nora stories was last year, right before she started preschool…
I told her she had to stop picking her nose all the time because kids at school might mock her… to which she immediately responded, “I’ll just tell them I like picking my nose and they can deal with it!”
Boy, do I hope that confidence sticks through high school!
She was so excited to bring her birthday treat to school yesterday (glow bracelets, temporary tattoos, and Skittles), and she is anxiously anticipating her Little Mermaid birthday party later this week!
Oh, and she convinced me to chop her hair short this past weekend!
Happy Birthday to our not-so-little-anymore girl.
We love you!
Joy says
Aww! She’s so lovely and looks so grown up now! Happiest birthday to Nora! My daughter just turned 6 also. I love her short hair! It looks great on her! 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Andrea! 🙂
Andrea says
she IS looking so grown up! Happy birthday to your new 6 year old too!
Debbie says
Wow! Nora is looking so grown up, especially with her shorter hair. She’s a pretty little girl for sure. I’m glad she’s got the spunk and self-confidence because she might need it to weed out the bad boys that will try and win her heart.
Andrea says
haha — yes, she is loving the short hair (and I do too!)
ShellyL says
Such a beauty!! I’ve been with you since she was a little baby so she’s always been special. Love her cute haircut. She reminds me so much of my first child, Olivia, who is almost 12. These words could have been written about her. My most challenging child, but also so rewarding. She has always been super smart, independent, and confident. As you put it so well, I’m sure she could survive without me fairly easily. I guess that is why I like Nora so much. Happy birthday, sweet girl! Thank you, Andrea, for sharing all your beautiful children with us.
Andrea says
Thanks Shelly 🙂
Cara says
I love her new hair cut! It makes her look so much older!
SandyK says
And she gets MORE beautiful everyday. Happy 6th Birthday, Nora!
Andrea says
aww… thanks Sandy 🙂
Amber Woods says
Happy Birthday to Nora! She is such a beautiful little girl. I love that she has added the pearls to her outfits these days. I too sometimes joke that my oldest girl could survive just fine if something happened to my husband and I. She would simply drag a chair to wherever she needed. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and that Nora’s mermaid party is a huge success.
Andrea says
haha — yes, I love the pearls too! She wanted to wear this huge colorful beaded necklace, but I talked her into the pearls for pictures instead 🙂
Thanksgiving was good and her Mermaid party was fairly low-key, but she liked it!
Martha Lawson says
Happy Birthday, Nora! It has truly been a pleasure watching you grow up! I always look forward to pictures and stories of your family. Happy Thanksgiving.
Mindy Myers says
Andrea, I also have a MORE child. My daughter is seven. Your posts on Nota have been so helpful to me!! I have felt less alone. My daughter has also gained more confidence as she has grown. I, like you, have embraced my daughter for all that she is. Happy Birthday to your beautiful Nora! She is as blessed to have you as you are to have her. Thanks again for sharing Nora with all of us!
Andrea says
Glad my posts were helpful — I know SOOOOO many people with “more” children now, mainly because of my posts about Nora. We definitely are in good company!
Jamie says
Happy birthday, Nora! She is so cute, Andrea. As I was scrolling, I kept saying oh, that is such a great picture of her. She looks absolutely adorable with her new haircut.
Andrea says
Thanks Jamie 🙂
BB says
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NORA!!
Hard to believe she is six years old! Have watched her from a little bitty baby, and through all your ‘growing pains’ along the way. Love your whole family and all the blog posts along the way.
JoDi says
Such a sweet and beautiful girl. It’s been so much fun watching her grow up (literally – 4 feet tall, wow!) these past 6 years. Looking forward to seeing who she becomes in the next 6 years!
Andrea says
I know — she’s one of the tallest ones in her kindergarten class!
Myka says
Happy birthday, Nora! She has grown up so fast into a beautiful little girl. Congrats, Nora!
Myka
http://www.supersimpleways.com
Linda says
Happy Birthday sweet Nora! I too have a Nora only he has a different name. He just turned 12. What I currently go through with this child is unbelievable. I am just now starting the puberty years. I hope I make it.
Ruth says
lol, i have one like her too…he’s now 19. The last 7 years were sooo hard with him…made me want to go home (heaven) many times! He’s a sweetheart during his good times, though!
Luba @ Healthy with Luba says
Happy birthday, dear Nora! Andrea, you must be thrilled and thankful beyond measure about her sleeping 11-12 hours each night. 🙂
Andrea says
yes… thrilled!! Life is better with more sleep!
JJ says
Happy Birthday, Nora!
Lynda says
Happy Birthday, Nora! So cute and love her haircut!
Avia says
She’s adorable and reminds my so much of my oldest who is almost exactly one year younger. I always feel like I’m seeing a year in the future when you write about Nora!
Andrea says
haha — well happy birthday to your little one too 🙂
Michelle says
She is a wonderful little girl. Such a beauty too.
I love how you’ve embraced who she is and accepted the challenge to let her blossom into who she is meant to be.
Thanks for sharing her story with us.
shan says
Dear Andrea!!! What a lovely post to read, about Nora, the day before Thanksgiving!! She is such a special girl! I completely cracked up about how she thought others just had to deal with her nose-picking and laughed right through the rest of the post 🙂 She is truly a gift from the Lord, and how wonderfully He had helped you and Dave navigate the more difficult early years! Bless you all and have a beautiful day celebrating the gift of Nora 🙂
Ruth says
Aww, she’s sweet, happy birthday to her!
JoAnn C. says
Happy birthday, Nora. Such a great day. You rock short hair!!!.
Happy Thanksgiving to the Dekker family.
Michelle says
Happy Birthday Nora! It’s been fun watching you grow. You are a blessing to your family!
Karen says
Happy birthday Nora!!
Chris says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NORA!
Jenna says
Happy Birthday, Nora!!! Haha! I love that story about picking her nose – so confident! When my three year old was starting preschool I said, “you have to stop picking your nose or kids will make fun of you.” She said, “but I like fun!” 😀
Andrea says
haha — that’s great!
Lynn Oyama says
You have done a wonderful job with her! She is beautiful and it is nice to hear that you help her be who she is.
Happy Thanksgiving Andrea!
Michele says
She’s sweet and sassy! Perfect combination
Andrea says
my thoughts exactly!
Leanne says
I love the stories of this sweet girl!!! this also means I’ve been reading your blog for 6 years!! Happy birthday, Nora!!!
DeeDee says
She is soooo beautiful!!! Happy Birthday Nora!
Deni says
Happy Birthday Nora!!! Such an amazing girl who is smart, talented, helpful, funny and so beautiful 🙂 I loved the nose picking story, there’s a lot we can all learn from that 😉
Enjoy your special day!
Jen says
Takes after mom–wants to be efficient and quick with her hair! Go Nora! She is adorable! Happy happy birthday!
Kimberley says
I love the new ‘do! She’s adorable! Happy Birthday Nora!!!