My best foot forward...

Ruby turned 7 on November 30th. Here are some pictures of my girl that I love. She is such a blessing in my life, I love her animal loving, gentle, soft heart and her willingness to work hard and learn new things. She's brave, scared only of an awful fictional character, Professor Coldheart (Carebear books from my childhood). She loves passionately and craves quality time, compliments, cuddles, hugs and kisses. She never forgets to pray and reminds us to be better people if we have a bad moment. She collects stuffed animals, loves to be surprised and surprise others. She calls her sister her "very best playmate, ever" and has taught Alice the art of pretend play, which they indulge in for hours everyday. She requires reminding that she's not the mom, as "good choices" come naturally to her and she often tries to steer Alice in the right direction. She's an athlete, a good little writer, and piano player. She wants to be a hygienist and a swimming teacher when she grows up. She wants to grow up fast, and loves to look like a rock star. I love you, Ruby! Swimming freestyle at a swim meet last month. She is in the same division as 9 year old children and still placed second!Ruby with a goat on a fieldtrip to a farm. She is very sensitive to animals, and can't even watch a movie with animals being pursued by animal control people. We ran into an animal control person in public recently, and I had to pretty up his job because she hates those people (I know they do a good thing, but they are really villainized in some of the kid movies, like Soccer Dog, for example, a movie that Ruby turned off after a few minutes because she didn't like that there was someone trying to catch the animals. She was only 6 lbs and 15 oz when she was born. Here she is the first day home (before she had to go back) with her proud as can be daddy.Here's her first attempt at drawing a person. I almost died when it was on one of these magna doodles where I couldn't preserve it forever!
When Alice was born, Ruby was three. She was thrilled. We were amazed that when Alice would cry, she'd go to her and say, "It's okay, sister is right here." She loved helping with everything and the transition was easy for her.
The first time that Ruby was old enough to ask Santa for what she wanted, she rattled off a list of every known princess Barbie in her darling toddler talk. She loved all things princess.

Our first Christmas with little Ruby.

Right after we walked into the house with Ruby for the first time...I look like death...and rightfully so.

Ruby at Sandy and Adam's wedding. She was the cutest flower girl ever, and was well aware that Kelly had candy for her so she'd stay in the right place. Her desire for that candy was out of control, and will always be remembered for turning around and saying, "Mow?" (more?) to Kelly and then loudly crunching away on the super loud lifesavers as Sandy and Adam said their vows.