To Emily on Your 9th Birthday

Emily,

Happy 9th Birthday Emily!  Welcome to your last year in single digits.  As crazy as it sounds, you've reached the halfway mark to adult hood.  I just hope these next 9 years don't go as fast as the first 9.

This has once again been a busy year for you.  You're already half way through being done in elementary school, which is another fact I'm trying to ignore.  At the end of second grade you were diagnosed with dyslexia.  We were surprised by the testing results as you tested above grade level for reading and continue to do so.  It's your trouble with spelling that they were concerned with.  So even though you have a very mild case of it, you've started a 2 year program at school where you get pulled out for 45 min. each day.  I actually think the program has been a blessing. . .I think you've become an even stronger reader than you already were and you're getting to learn extra skills that the regular 3rd grade classes don't teach, such as cursive writing practice.  I'm proud of how much you've come to not let this define you.

This year you dropped gymnastics and decided since you enjoyed tumbling the most, that you would stick with just a tumbling class.  This summer you gave Academy soccer a try, but for no fault of your own, it just didn't work out.  I was quite disappointed with the whole process and frustrated that it left such a bad impression on all of us.  Either way, you were excited to be back with your rec team and have enjoyed playing with that team again this Fall.

You are still the sweetest girl and I'm so proud of the person you're growing up to be.  Your bubbly personality always makes me smile.  I love you sweet pea and I can't wait to see what this year has in store for you.

Love,
Mommy