You've had a really great year. I keep wondering when the "tween" thing will kick in with you and so far it hasn't. (Though, at this point I do feel like we are living on borrowed time!) That's just to say that you are still a joy to be around. You typically are the most positive and enthusiastic person in the room.
For example, no one has to ask you twice to sell Girl Scout cookies! You love to help and to be part of a team.
Last summer, nothing made you happier than being on a softball team. You had a really great season and made it clear to us that you are willing to work really hard to overcome your challenges with "righty hand." The game where you played first base will always stand out as one of my proudest moments of you.
I'm sure this will change (any day now...) but for now your best pal is still your sister. You both have pretty sophisticated senses of humor though mostly she's on the performing end of the humor while you are on the laughing-your-butt-off side of the equation. It all works out pretty well for everyone.
Saturday and Sunday mornings (before your lazy parents get up) you guys love to play camping or vacation with all your "friends". You've finally broken me by the way. I've given up every hope of controlling the number of stuffed animals that make it into the house. In a weak moment, I even promised a trip to Build-a-Bear for both of your birthdays.
Speaking of bears, you are still a little nutty for the UK Wildcats (as evidenced by Scout's new apparel), but I guess that's old news now.
You've always liked Legos, but you've really gone crazy for them lately. You can sit for hours and build things. Just don't show any interest in architecture, or else we'll have to take your Legos away!
As you are growing into yourself, I see a lot of me in you. Especially in your introverted nature and your love of reading. When Audrey and I volunteer in your school library you usually find yourself a quiet nook to read in while your sister leads your third-grade friends in a seminar on coloring (or whatever she brought to keep herself busy.) I love how you can make a space for yourself wherever you are. And that you know yourself well enough to seek out some quiet when you need it.
You are a lot like your dad too. You have an amazing curiosity and a desire to make things and figure out how things work, just like him.
You love doing projects with your dad, whether it's a construction project around the house or an air-powered car. I get nervous when you guys get your tools out!
The awesome thing is, your curiosity extends way beyond Legos or toys. You're very interested in the world at large. You love to travel and see new places. And I love that you really care about the upcoming presidential election. You will sit with your dad and I and watch Meet the Press every Sunday. I bet you are rare among third graders in that you can identify all the candidates by voice when you hear them on the radio!
Even though I still think of you as my little girl, you are clearly growing up. I think you grew three whole inches over last summer. And every once in a while I get a glimpse of what a teenage Maddy will be like. Like when we have to go dress shopping for Uncle Patrick's wedding. You're not really a dress kind of girl but that's fine with me. You are tolerant enough when the situation requires one.
I just hope you never forget how beautiful you are, inside and out!
Happy Birthday Maddy!
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