You continue to amaze us and brighten our lives every single day. I’m very aware of this because you were sick for a few days recently and it felt so weird that the house was so quiet! When you are feeling well, you’re always singing, joking, working on your dance routines, drawing, painting weaving. You just have so much you want to do! Creativity flows in and out of you like air!
But part of what makes you so successful is that on top of your natural gifts, you also have an really impressive work ethic. Last summer, you did the month-long theater camp that you’ve done for the past few years. But since you were one of the “big kids” you auditioned for and got one of the lead roles, the Scarecrow. I was a little nervous for you, to have to since a whole song by yourself. But you practiced and practiced and when the time came, you nailed it! We were so proud of you. I’m in awe that you have the confidence to get in front of people and perform, because it's so unlike anything I've ever done. But you pretty much thrive under those conditions.
Your dad and I often wonder what you’ll decide to do with your life. You asked me the other day how old do you have to be to get a “book deal” so I know that writing is still one of your passions. You have journals full of ideas for plant and animal species that you’ve invented to populate the fictional worlds you invent.
But if I had to pick just one word to define you at this point in your life, that word would be...."headband". It's your signature accessory. You wear them, collect them, organize them, label them, plan out which one you wear when, and under what circumstances. It's all very complicated.
I used to assume that Maddy was my “sporty” kid and that you’re my “artsy” kid it’s becoming clear that you love sports every bit as much as Maddy. And you’re pretty competitive. As in you HATE to lose. But you’re getting better at being a good sport about it. It was so fun to watch you play softball last summer, and travel soccer in the fall. You’ve been having fun with the basketball clinics this year, but I know you’re just biding your time until you can join the 4th grade team.
And you’re still a very intense animal lover. I say “intense” because I suspect our days of eating meat around you may be numbered. You do tons of research too. You’re always telling me interesting tidbits about different animals.When we visit Kentucky, you love playing with the dogs.
And at home, we call you the "kitty whisperer" because you know just how to get Hermione to relax! She literally melts in your hands!
Your maturity and empathy is really beyond your years. Your awareness of the fleeting quality of life is pretty unique for a nine year old. For example, a few months you tearfully told me that you didn’t want me to sing “Daisy” anymore. But not because you didn't want to hear me sing (though that would be the logical reason!) But because you knew I couldn’t come to college with you to sing it, and stopping would make you sad, so you wanted to go ahead and get the sadness over with. I couldn’t argue with that logic, so sadly we stopped. But you still let me sing when you’re sick or feeling sad. You feel things very deeply, happy things and sad things alike. I hope you never change that about you.
We love watching you grow into the hilarious, intelligent, compassionate person that you're becoming.
Happy Birthday Audrey!
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