Ten

Dear 4th Grader,

This past weekend we celebrated your 10th birthday. It feels like I was writing one of these letters to you just yesterday for your ninth birthday, but somehow you’re another year older and wiser already. {Meanwhile, I’m just another year older because I hid one of your gifts a few days before your big day and then had absolutely no recollection of where I put it}. In honor of you reaching a milestone double digit age, I want to remind you of ten things I like about you:

1. You have diverse interests. One of your birthday requests was for a magic kit; another was for a label maker. I don’t know many 10-year-olds who put organizational tools on a wishlist, but you like handheld electronics and know how to use them. Soon our whole house will be labeled and rabbits will be appearing out of nowhere.
2. You know who you are and what you like. You typically choose relaxation over exhilaration. When we go to the lake, you have little to no interest in riding on a tube or doing anything adventurous behind the boat. You want the people who are with us to have fun, but you’re not there for a thrill. You’re there for the snacks.
3. You’re cautious. To mention the water again, you’re the one who reminds us, “You need to slow down!,” or “It’s getting too shallow here!,” or “Watch out for debris!!” It’s like having a member of the coast guard with us at all times.
4. You think about others. Last week at school you chose an alternative meal on the day they served barbecue pork sandwiches {which you like} because your new friend has a pet pig, and you explained: “It would just be rude to eat pork in front of her.” I see you considering the feelings of others more and more and it reminds me to do the same.
5. You’re fancy. Ever since you visited their headquarters, one of your favorite hobbies is watching Jewelry Television. You love Dolly Parton not because you enjoy country music, but because you appreciate her wardrobe. You’re ever concerned I’m not fancy enough because I don’t have false lashes, fake nails, or five inch heels. You remind me that “less Hollie, more Dolly” is a mantra worth considering.
6. You’re inquisitive. You nearly killed me with deep questions when you were in preschool, but now I see you using your curiosity to learn about new and interesting things. Because of you I can now identify a monarch butterfly and participate in a conversation about penguins in Antartica.
7. You’re a good caretaker. I’m still convinced you would make a fine doctor if you ever overcome your fear of germs. Last year when one of your sister’s was sick you kept an eye on her from the safety of the steps and delivered the iPad to her… wrapped in paper towels. On any given day you can tell me who didn’t wash their hands before lunch and/or who visited the school clinic. You do your part to promote public health and wellness.
8. You make me laugh. This was our conversation on the way home from school one day:
   Your sister: Is Daddy babysitting us tonight?
   Me: No. I’ll be home.
   You: Yeah, and anyway… when Daddy watches us it’s just called parenting.
   I’m still proud of you for nailing that one on the head!
9. You deal with being stuck in the middle. Whenever you and your sisters discuss how many children you plan to have you often say: “I’ll probably just have one. I think more than that is just too hectic.” I appreciate you tolerating the pains of being the second of three in our “hectic” world around here.
10. You’re affectionate. You still like to sit on my lap and hug your daddy when he comes home. You cry when our out-of-town family has to go back home after a visit. One of your love languages is time together, and you teach me to cherish that, too.

Know that you are liked and loved as you enter this next decade, 4th Grader. It is a privilege and a joy to be your mom.