My baby turned 10. And 10 is ever so different than 9. She is a decade old, double digits, even a tween. Sometimes she is still just my little girl in a bigger body, but sometimes I see her with fresh eyes and see who she is becoming and it astounds me.
Lizzy knows what she wants and likes and is figuring out what matters to her and what does not. Even though I offered to have a big birthday bash for her, she tells me that she'd rather have a friend or two over and just go out for doughnuts. And so we did. It was the easiest birthday party ever. She and Helen decorated matching shirts, had a simple tea party, went out for doughnuts and just hung out. Her friend Ashlee couldn't make it, but she and Helen had a fabulous time doing their thing.
1. Lizzy has a whole complex life that I'm not a part of. Not that I always need to be a part of EVERYTHING, but it is still so strange. She sets goals, writes in her journal, leaves notes for herself all over her room, reads books I've never heard of and is even writing a book. She has her own sense of fashion. Very much her own.
2. She's become responsible. She handles her homework and other responsibilities and rarely needs reminders anymore. She's ever so reasonable about things and we can usually work things out pretty easily. Which was a very different story a year ago. Something magical has happened and we are both enjoying it immensely.
3. When we cleaned out her room a few days ago I asked if I should toss out her princess magazines. She told me... Mom I know I'm 10 and I'm not supposed to and don't tell anyone but I still like princesses. I'm all for princesses and hope she's likes them forever. Her interest has blossomed into a love for fairy tales and fantasy stories. She loves magic. This year for Christmas, we worked together to make Sam a magic carpet. She plays with Sam and helps him to develop his magical imagination as well.
4. Lizzy is in love with Grayson. I don't know how I managed life without a big sister to watch the younger kids. She'll watch him for me throughout the day and loves every minute of it. She keeps saying that she doesn't want him to grow up cause he is SOOOOO cute.
5. She's funny. Really she cracks me up sometimes. We have lots of inside jokes and like a lot of the same things.
6. She's kind. I've received many a note from Lizzy that has cheered me when I needed it most. She can cheer up the other kids too.
7. She lets me kiss her goodnight and goodbye. How long is that gonna last?
8. Lizzy is really good at test taking, cooking eggs, pleading her case to Mom or Dad, entertaining little kids and reading. She can read a book in 1/2 the time that I can. Then she'll read it again before I get through it once. I can't understand her love of reading the same book 5 or 6 times in a row. It baffles me. Oh yeah, basketball, she's good at basketball too.
Happy birthday sweetheart. May the next 10 be just as amazing.
