Sierra Joli Noftle part 11

This outfit was the first complete outfit Sierra picked out from the store--it was her 5th birthday present wish, to shop for her own outfit.  Have I mentioned Sierra mostly creates her outfits from hand me downs!  She called it her cheetah outfit, it came with a pair of cheetah boots and a "kicky Beret" (name that TV show series). 

Six years old, I wish you could see the pants better in this picture, crazy patchwork print, the hat went with it, there was also a Cheetah print in the pants and hat---why Elephants why?

This outfit, besides the mini skirt, isn't so important to Sierra's story as the fact that this is a picture taken on the Kindergarten field trip to the Othello fire station.  To date this has been the single most traumatizing event in her life.  Not brother sick with brain cancer---this field trip.  This started months of crying every night because she was afraid of fire---it potty trained her because she didn't want to even try the alarm system I had borrowed from my sister, she FREAKED when I suggested we just push the button to see what the alarm sounded like (I never did hear that alarm!)---she was too afraid it would sound like a fire alarm, so she never woke up wet again.  To this day--over 5 years later if she has a bad dream, it is that the house is on fire.  She wants to cook but is afraid to be by the oven or stove---TRAUMATIZED.

An example of one of her "Queen" outfits--although from the back, it is a solid long yellow coat over the perfectly matching yellow dress--she wanted yellow church shoes, but we couldn't find them.  So hard when Payless doesn't consult with us about our Easter needs.

This year, for her 11th birthday she didn't request a pirate cake (thank heavens) she requested a double layer white cake with cream cheese frosting that SHE could decorate herself.  So I gave her, her white cake and she and Hadley went to town--figuratively speaking--they actually stayed in my kitchen!

Aunt Courtney gets the most creative, homemade elephant gift of the birthday award.  What an honor.  I don't even get honorable mention.  I bought her the "Sagosten" elephant floor pillow at IKEA.  What I failed to notice or understand was that the "Sagosten" inner bladder to blow up and put the "Sagosten" elephant pillow cover over wasn't included.  Got that?  I bought the "Sagosten", but the "Sagosten" wasn't included so we have a flat "Sagosten" on the floor---rookie mistake. 

This gift is thanks to Abigail Delay--actually JoAnn.  Sierra wanted a "colored mini block thing that makes cool shapes like Abigail has.  So JoAnn was in Tri-Cities, and took the time to stop at Craft Warehouse and buy it for her---I love Royal City and the "hey I was in town the other day so I grabbed the color block toy thingy I know you needed for your daughters birthday" type service!

So old she needed one of Carter's fingers to illustrate her age!

1.  Her middle name is French for "Pretty".
2.  She has a "thing" for ELEPHANTS and has for a few years--we don't know why, I do know that Sammi claims her "thing" for Elephants started before Sierra's, and that Sierra is copying Sammi.  I would like to set the record straight, I can't remember what makes me certain, but I am CERTAIN Sierra had a "thing" for Elephants first and Sammi was not far behind.  So saith I.....debate amongst yourselves.
3.  She is a little timid around animals, once she gets used to certain pets its no problem but she is on my list for child least likely to become a veterinarian---unless they have specific Elephant vets--then she is top on that list.
4.  She thinks the Peace symbol is groovy, likes it on clothes, jewelry, etc....
5.  She still likes and plays with her American Girl Doll, Rebecca.  If given $1,000.00 to spend on clothes, I think she would split that clothing budget between her wardrobe's and Rebecca's.
6.  She doesn't love athletics, but her Dad still loves her!
7.  She has lot's of good friends her age, but she really loves playing with her little 2 year old cousin Aftyn.  And Aftyn loves "Rare-ra".
8.  She is extremely smart. 
9.  She has a sense of style that she didn't inherit, it was inherent!  I like to call her style "homeless flower child, gets in head on with the Queen of England".  It's confusing to read but I can usually look at an outfit and know Sierra will love it---I make no pretenses about knowing what clothes will dub me world's lamest mother with Sammi and Zoe, but with Sierra I haven't disappointed her yet ( I just had a thought, what if her kind-heartedness makes her seem delighted, uh-oh I feel uncertainty setting in).  She likes leggings with skirts multi-layered shirts topped with a knitted poncho....AND she likes dresses in solid colors with coordinating coats.
10.  She is very kind-hearted.  I can't tell you how many times Carter or Zoe have been given a chore that they whine and carry on about for YEARS (maybe not, but too many minutes of my life for sure) and all of the sudden I don't hear the complaints so I will go check and discover Sierra working away on their chore for them.  Also I know suspect she may be play acting delight over some of the clothes I've given her over the years!!!
11.  She is the best mix of little/big girl I know.  Loves to sit on our laps and cuddle, and loves Justin Bieber.  Loves her Doll, and loves pirates, has since she was three and Michael thought she was so young that watching "Pirates of the Caribbean" wouldn't scare her.  It didn't, scare her, but that started 7 years of pirate themed birthdays and gifts!  Loves riding bikes to Subway with Hadley and ordering lunch---sans adults, but wants me to sit in her room while she falls asleep.  Loves to play with Aftyn for hours, but wants a real babysitting gig---oh and a date with Justin Bieber.