Every year I say that time has flown and that I can't believe
you are one year older, but 10?!
An entire two hands. Two digits.
3,650 days you have been on this planet and in our lives.
That's 10 incredible years of learning, growing, changing.
From a young age you were determined and head-strong,
not always confident and often shy, but you had strong ideas and opinions.
Today you are as confident as ever and wise beyond your years.
You hold your head high. You know what you like
and aren't afraid to make it known. You have panache. I admire you.
The way your brain works, the way you are thoughtful, methodical.
They way you love animals, especially Luna.
The way you are kind, think of others and how you are silly.
The way you perform, sing and dance (and play the nose flute).
They way you construct and engineer, draw, ponder and question.
They way your wear your heart on your sleeve.
You are the girl who still refuses pizza and hot dogs
but can't get enough honey mustard sauce, Pad Thai and cous cous.
You can throw a football like a laser.
You love everything peppermint and have really taken an interest in drawing.
You love to bake and create and experiment in the kitchen.
You can solve almost any problem in "MacGyver'-like fashion,
creating a solution that I wouldn't have ever dreamed.
You can construct works of art out of Legos and
create and re-create some pretty incredible things
It's been quite a year. A year full of changes and in some ways, many disappointments.
Through it all, you have been flexible, resilient, and continued on with a good attitude.
That's not always easy to do.
You are growing up. Not easy for me to admit as I want to keep you little.
But if you stayed little, you wouldn't be contributing to the world like you are today.
Sharing your thoughts, your opinions, your stories and asking your many questions.
Your wacky jokes, your made-up songs.
So many wonderful, different components make up you, our wonderful girl.
We are so very proud of you.
Keep being you.
The happiest of birthdays to our Carmen James.
