Pro Tip – never buy a twin bed. You cannot read to your kids in it and they can’t have sleepovers. It came at no surprise to me when Holland asked me if she could get a sister bed. They love reading stories together, giggling etc. Below I linked what we went with. 
Cheer is winding down with only a few more competitions left and then we are heading into gymnastics comp season….or are we?
Let’s rewind
I’m going to do my best at making this brief , yet informative, not for you, not for me, but so one day my daughter will look back and know how much I thought this out and why I made the executive decision on the direction we are going to take.
A lot of people compliment Holland while over complimenting me by saying she got your genes and talent in tumbling etc. from me. The truth is, is that that is a very generous over compliment. She is 100x better at the young age of 8 then I ever was in my entire lifetime.
A month ago I was contacted and given a generous offer for Holland to have her gymnastics comped, like a sponsorship/scholarship of sorts (a $400 a month value). I was thrilled for her. But I never responded. I didn’t know how to respond because I felt her disengaging in the gymnastics scene.
She was starting to ask me questions on the way to gymnastics if she could take hip hop and acro with her friends, instead of going to gymnastics. I even let her tryout the classes. She loved them.
So in an internal struggle and debate, I made the decision to decline the scholarship offer and move Holland into a dance studio. Obviously I have struggled with this. Holland has the drive and determination and potential to excel in the world of gymnastics. But she has expressed to me that she loves the cheer world and wants to go in that direction which she also is excelling in. Its just hard to let go of the thing that got you to where you are. I credit gymnastics to getting her to where she is. It was a very difficult phone call to make to tell them we are not continuing with it. (it was an emotionally draining big decision especially because she was so excited to make the team initially)
So we have pulled out officially of gymnastics, and have replaced it with a few other classes that will broaden her talents. I want to also add that Holland is excited she gets to have playdates. She has made so many friends within our immediate area and is thriving! I am so happy for her. Although this decision has weighed on my heart, I feel like we are going in the right direction.
I love being your mom Holland, and pray constantly I am the mom you need me to be.
Dream Seekers are mystical, magical friends who are here to share their dreams and inspire you to follow yours.
Holland is a wish maker and goal setter, she has always been the girl that writes down her goals. Before Dream Seekers she would write down her goals behind her poster in her closet. But now she has a special safe spot for them in the Dream Seekers box. Upon opening up one of your mystical friends, there is a special place where you write down your dreams. This spot is meant to hold them and give you the courage to make your dreams come true.
Dream Seekers is a range of three beautifully crafted soft dolls with their own unique personalities. Luna, Hope and Bella are here to share their dreams and inspire you to follow your own. I see a little bit of Holland in each one of the dolls.
Bella is an animal lover and her dream is that all animals will be treated with love and kindness. Her outfit is kitty inspired and practical paired with fun sneakers. Hope reminds me of Holland because they both have such bright and carefree personalities and style.
Luna (my favorite) is a dancer and although Holland doesn’t dance, she does cheer and gymnastics. I love that both Luna and Holland don’t stop until they have reached their dream!
Stella has secret magic inside of her in that her wings change colors to show off her five superpowers positivity, caring, happiness, courage and calmness.
I like and appreciate that the dolls are wholesome, timeless, and inspiring. They aren’t trying to inspire my child to grow up too soon but instead they are helping her achieve her dreams. If Dreams Seekers were friends they are the exact role models you would want for your child.
Something fun we learned about the Dream Seeker Dolls while we were playing with them is that they have long arms and legs that are fun to arrange and really add to dramatic play. We also noticed that on every Dream Seeker’s wrist were these fun unique marks called their “Dream Mark”. They represent the doll’s personality and the dream that they seek!
It’s been so enjoyable watching Holland play with her new Dream Seekers Dolls. Take a peek at the last pic. Did you notice anything new? Her Stella Doll came with fun hair clips for both her and her Dream Seeker doll to share. These dolls really are so pretty and enchanting. Even her baby sister has been in on the fun. Her reaction to the dolls is “wow” and she has to have one with her everywhere we go.
These dolls have been such a hit at our house that this past weekend Holland was invited to a birthday party and when we were picking out a present for her best friend she automatically said without hesitation that she was going to get her a Dream Seeker Doll so that she too could have a best friend to share her dreams with too .
Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Moose Toys via Momtrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Moose Toys or Momtrends.
Holland is now 8! What! I started Birdalamode.com before I was even pregnant with her and now she is making big girl decisions and growing up into a beautiful person inside and out.
I had such a special experience with Holland on her baptism day. We woke up to a hot air balloon randomly dropping in our backyard. (a gift from the heavens)
I got her all ready in her beautiful dress, when we were heading up to the church we pulled over and took these pretty pictures of her.
Her baptism was full of loved ones both family and friends. The program was beautiful. Both grandpas spoke to her and her cousin Ava sang a beautiful song
Dallin baptized Holland and I was able to spend some special one on one time immediatly after she was baptized getting her reready. She was all the dunked. She had such an elegant calmness and confidence and was so sure that this was what she wanted to do. For the first time I felt her spirit, her person not a as a little child but almost like a young adult, a peer, she seemed wise and mature.
Holland is a leader and a special girl and I feel like a big reason Heavenly Father sent her to me is to help me to be a better person. I admire so much about Holland her unwaivering faith and her ability to always speak her truth she isn’t afraid of others opinions or being unpopular. She just does what is right. I love you so much Holland and am so thankful to be your mother.
*this is the song that her cousin sang at her baptism
Holland + London ♡
#sisters #iprayedforthis #3weeksyoung .
📸: @marinarussellphotography
Holland is all things sugar and spice! She is athletic and kind. You can tell she has all brothers because she is so very strong. You can also tell she is the only princess around the house. Just the other day I asked Holland if she would like to give up her playroom or bedroom to her baby sister, her response I think I’d rather have a brother 🙂