This one goes to 11!

Written by Carey (except that awesome title, natch), but I'll be darned if I can figure out how to log myself out of Blogger and log her in so it says Carey at the bottom!

Happy 11th Birthday Greta!

What a wonderful and wild year it has been…a roller coaster ride around the sun! You’ve had your ups and downs, for sure, as there were many twists and turns in your life. And although it was scary at times, you’ve held on and found it to be worth all the effort. I am so very proud of how you have handled everything.

It was actually at your birthday party last year when you overhead me tell another mom that I’d decided to take a job in Albany, and everyone burst into tears. Yet now here we are, settled in a new house, new school, and new life in Niskayuna. While there have been plenty of tears over the last 12 months, there has also been lots of laughter and love. You understand how much being together as a family means, as we all made sacrifices for this move. Everyone enjoys having breakfast and dinner together, every day of the week, for the first time in your life! There are more couch cuddles, family game nights, and all-around togetherness. While you terribly miss our framily in South Orange, you see and feel the benefits here, and understand the choice that Daddy and I made. This reflects your incredible maturity, compassion, and overall awareness. We are so proud of how you are growing up!

After having a wonderful summer 2015 at camp and extra time with your dad, you have adjusted great to fifth grade and life in Niskayuna. You are excelling at school…so much so that the teachers actually thanked us for moving to this town. You bring such enthusiasm to class, and your voracious appetite for reading causes Ms. Z and the librarian to swoon. They both send you home with books almost daily (yes, you are a speed reader), and marvel at your interest and comprehension. We love that you continue to love reading (although we also worry that you are getting old enough to read young adult books…!!)

You joined Girl Scouts this year and enjoy the activities, service opportunities, and making new friends. I love volunteering with the troop and sharing in the wonderful experiences you have. You set a terrific example of the Girl Scout law: honest and fair, friendly and considerate, using resources wisely, and on and on. I can see that you are creating sweet memories to cherish always, like campfire songs and being a Guilderhaven Girl!

You’ve happily started flute lessons, and impress us with your dedication to practicing, as well as with your performances. Your tone is lovely, and we are excited to attend your concerts. You indulge me every now and then and let me give it a try…with both of us surprised at what I remember after 25 years!

You continue to dote on Mittens, reluctantly sharing him more often with Lincoln. You have been lobbying for a dog, so we are starting to look. We know you are responsible enough to help feed and care for it, as you are an excellent caretaker for both the cat and your brother. You and Lincoln have had to develop a new level of friendship since we moved, since you rely on each other more for entertainment, and also spend so much more time together after school (no ASP while Daddy’s home!). While there is bickering, there are also a lot of giggles and good times. You two of you can be such goofballs! We play lots of family games (Mille Bornes is a current fave, along with Trouble, Scrabble, and checkers), and the two you make up adventure games that look very detailed (with homemade bows and even costumes!)

Other highlights this year: you enjoy bike rides, tennis, skiing and basketball... you have become your father’s sous chef, and I look forward to your culinary creations… your imagination continues to soar… you often write poetry… so many wonderful things come to mind!

I know the coming year will continue to challenge you…being 11 and a bona fide preteen won't be easy! But know that we are here to support you, love you, and celebrate the unique, creative, caring, wonderful person you are every day. We love you! Happy birthday, dearest Greta!