My Dear Kari,
Goodness this year been a wild ride. Yet another pandemic birthday, though this year is a bit more hopeful than the past year, and it certainly has been a memorable one.
The year has brought you wearing a mask, a mouthful of braces, continuously wild hair, piles of books, and some fantastic friendships. As you told me the other day, “Nine is fine!”
Today you are NINE and I’m hopeful you get all the animals, LEGOs, books, and space stuff your heart can handle.
The other day you said to me “I cannot sit still unless I am at school,” and I think that about sums it up for you during the past year. You are smart as a whip, but watch out for sass or trouble if you’re bored. You are a busybody and like to constantly be doing something with your body or brain. The only time you sit still is when playing video games and reading, which you love. But your preferred method of living is being on-the-go, playing games, building things, or competing.
In fact, every time I hear the song Sit Still Look Pretty by Daya, I think of you. The lyrics fit you perfectly.
I don’t know what you’ve been told,
But this girl right here’s gonna rule the world.
Yeah, that’s where I’m gonna be, because I wanna be,
No, I don’t wanna sit still, look pretty.
This year you played flag football and soccer again and loved both. You always give your all while on the field and listen well to your coaches. You definitely have a heart and stamina for sports.
You also enjoy jumping on the trampoline, playing baseball, ice skating, and roller skating, and are eager to try basketball soon. You’ve said numerous times you’d like to try alllll the sports, which I support as time and money allow.
I am glad you have figured out that moving your body makes you happy. Keep rocking out with your bad self. You inspire me to get out and move too!
As much as you love playing sports though, I also know you need time to re-charge too. You do not mind being alone, and I can usually tell when you need it after a long day of socializing. I appreciate when you tell me you just need “chill time,” as you call it. Always advocate for your needs, baby girl!
With that said, if you’re sitting, you’re probably reading. You love books, especially graphic novels, and I make a lot of trips to the library for you. You still adore the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. In fact, this year you made me tweet author Jeff Kinney…and to your delight, he responded to us. It made our year!
8 yo: “You should write to Jeff Kinney (@wimpykid) to thank him for teaching me how to read.”
— Mrs. Weber (@LaurenWeber84) April 29, 2021
I’m not even mad I get zero credit. She devours every single book and I’m thankful for the peace and quiet 😂💗 pic.twitter.com/v4haZHL1io
Sometimes I wonder if you love reading so much because we let you stay up later doing it…Either way, we figure it’s a good way to get your body to relax since you typically have a hard time getting to sleep at night. Every night you climb into my bed as I read or work and ask me profound questions… “Why are adults so terrible to the earth?” “Who invented God?” “Why are people mean to animals?” are a few recurring ones.
Sometimes answering your questions is tough on my heart because I know you are piecing the world together, which means you’re slipping further away from being a part of me and leaning more into the adult you will become.
I know that at this point, any question I can’t answer you will just go find out yourself in a book or with Google…So #sorrynotsorry for the things I no longer sugar coat. It’s going to be a fine balance in the years ahead, and I’m hopeful you show me some grace as I learn to parent during this phase.
Another year down and you still say you’d like to work for NASA. You love putting things together and solving problems, so I’d say you are still well on your way to achieving your dream. You have asked many times to attend Space Camp in Alabama, and while I can’t make promises because it’s pretty costly, I will do everything in my power to help that become a reality.
Overall, you are a very serious student, athlete, and reader…But you are NOT remotely serious for most things in life. You love potty humor, telling jokes, and in your words “being weird.” I can’t even tell you how many photos I have that you have requested posing in front of random silly things…Like this sign. Silliness speaks to your soul, and I hope you always have that outlet to get you through life. Life is too short to not have fun!
Thank you for still wanting to cuddle on the couch, hold my hand on walks, and share your soul with dad and I. We can’t wait to watch you continue to stretch, learn, and grow more in the year ahead. We are so proud of the independent kiddo you’ve become!
Love you to the moon and back, times infinity.
Kisses,
Mom
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