The Amy+Bob Effort: Eleven

Happy 11th birthday Audrey!

It has been so fun watching you grow into yourself. This pandemic has really changed my concept of time, everything is before or after. And I feel like it has hit your life at such a time that it divided your little kid self from your big kid self. You’re almost as tall as your sister now. You guys can literally share clothes. You normally get your Wordle before me every morning. You are not to be underestimated in anyway!

We got you an iPad for Christmas this year because you love to play video games and video chat with your friends. But I’m so happy to see that you found it it’s just another tool to be creative with. I love watching your creativity blossom. You are always making and creating. You have even started a little side hustle for yourself of doing doggy portraits. You are so in demand!

Living through a pandemic is a pretty excruciating thing for someone who is as extroverted as you. You are so good at making friends. You have your closest buddies, which you are super loyal to. But you always have room to take on another friend. Whether it be the new girl on the basketball team that doesn’t know anyone else or someone in your class at school you have a huge heart. And a hilarious sense of humor as well. I believe that’s the main reason people are so drawn to you.

I am proud that you are seen as such a leader in your fifth grade class. I only worry that you put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect all the time. Nobody’s perfect. It's ok to fail sometimes. I hope we can make you realize that so it doesn't every hold you back from trying new things.

You're not as dead set on becoming a vetrinarian as you were when you were younger, but that doesn't mean you love animals any less. I think it's just more the result of your interests growing and growing. There's very little about the world that you aren't curious about. But animals will always be your first love. You got a little impromptu horse riding lesson over Christmas vacation and you looked like a natural right away!

I think you would still list soccer as your favorite sport to play, but it has been really fun to watch you try something new this fall.

I know that this next year, starting middle school is going to bring so much change. And I just kind of want to slow down time and let you be as you are for a little while longer. (Though maybe getting you into a drama program, like they have at the middle school, is something that is WAY overdue!)