Whenever anyone spends time with my family, they always say something along the lines of "Your girls are all so different! They all have such distinct personalities. And SYLVIA." I know. Sylvia. "How do you find a word that means [Sylvia?] A flibbertigibbet, a will-o'-the wisp, a clown." She is just fantastic. She decided she missed her bangs and cut them herself in the back of the van on the way home from a road-trip. She will always play the boy in pretend play when her sisters won't. She still can't say her Rs, so it makes everything she says even better. She works so hard if she doesn't know she is working hard. The moment she realizes she is exerting effort, she promptly quits, and often dramatically. But she doesn't know raking leaves is hard work, so she is always out there doing that with her dad. She lives her life like an actress who has fully committed to her character. Our lives would have no color without her.
Some gems from the last year:
December 12
She started saying "Bah humbug" every time she was disappointed, but instead she would say, "Ha bumhug."
December 12
We walked by a lady with cleavage and she said, "I can see her boobs. They look like a butt."
We walked by a lady with cleavage and she said, "I can see her boobs. They look like a butt."
December 16
Mom: Sylvia are you done with your math?
Sylvia: No.
Mom: Then why are you playing?
Sylvia: Because I’m full of math.
Mom: Sylvia are you done with your math?
Sylvia: No.
Mom: Then why are you playing?
Sylvia: Because I’m full of math.
December 22
"I wish I could get into the hot tub, but the chen-i-pulls (chemicals) need to mix in."
January 28
"My fur is sticking up and is all bumpy" — her describing goosebumps.
"My fur is sticking up and is all bumpy" — her describing goosebumps.
January 29
I told them we would do something, I can't even remember what, and the plans fell through. She looked at me so betrayed and said, "A promise has been broken."
I told them we would do something, I can't even remember what, and the plans fell through. She looked at me so betrayed and said, "A promise has been broken."
February 9
We were looking through pictures and we landed on one of my grandma and someone said, “Who is that again?” And I said, that’s Great Grandma, that’s my grandma. She’s the one who died last year.” And Sylvia said, “Yep. In the shipwreck.”
February 20
Sings “Pennsylvania” for the beginning part of Lion King
February 27
"Mom. Thank you SO much for making this food and for giving me life."
July 4
We have a friend who lost both his parents in a plane crash and the girls were nervous to ever fly again. We explained it is very uncommon, but it is more common on smaller planes. Sylvia then said, "So you're saying don’t get on a little plane unless you are old and you want to die."
July 12
I was so exhausted at bedtime and just wanted to go to bed myself. I angrily asked, "Why do I have to tuck you in?" and she said, "Because it sends a rainbow of good dreams."
July 19
Whenever we cross state lines she does an announcer voice and says, “Welcome to Oregon, everybody!” And describes everything she knows about that state.
August 17
We saw a homeless man who had a couple cats with him and Sylvia said, “That is so sad.” And I said, “I know, Honey, it breaks your heart. I wish there was something we could do for him.” And she said, “The saddest thing is he only has his cats to keep him company.” I thought it was so profound that she recognized his loneliness and not just his homelessness.
We saw a homeless man who had a couple cats with him and Sylvia said, “That is so sad.” And I said, “I know, Honey, it breaks your heart. I wish there was something we could do for him.” And she said, “The saddest thing is he only has his cats to keep him company.” I thought it was so profound that she recognized his loneliness and not just his homelessness.
September 22
"Mom. I want to meet Jesus."
September 23
She was just chatting with Scarlett and I overheard her say, "When I am grown up, I’m going to tell my kids about you in my life."
September 23
"That would actually be really cool to be in heaven with all the other peeps."
"That would actually be really cool to be in heaven with all the other peeps."
September 24
Sylvia: I just want to sit here with you, Grandma.
Grandma Patti: I’m pretty boring I’ll probably just fall asleep.
Sylvia: It’s okay, I’ll just watch you sleep.
Sylvia: I just want to sit here with you, Grandma.
Grandma Patti: I’m pretty boring I’ll probably just fall asleep.
Sylvia: It’s okay, I’ll just watch you sleep.
October 13
Sylvia: What is it like to die?
Aunt Brittany: It’s like going into the next room.
Sylvia: That sounds exhausting.
Aunt Brittany: It’s like going into the next room.
Sylvia: That sounds exhausting.
And there you have it. Sylvia is too lazy to die.
