1/13/2023
Dear Piper,
Love,
Mommy
1/13/2023
Dear Piper,
Love,
Mommy
January 13th, 2022
Dear Piper,
Today is your 8th Birthday! Another year gone, and I am once again reminded of how quickly you change and grow. This year has been another year that we have spent in the unknown. As the world around us struggled with a global pandemic, your dad and I worried about how this might short change you and your childhood. I hope that as you read this--the grown up you looks back on this year with a smile, and that you feel that you had all of the normal childhood experiences. We want that so much for you!
During this year you continued to grow like a weed, and I am fairly sure that my days of being taller than you are going to be numbered. You are tall enough that you reach the top of my shoulder, and you weigh around 70 pounds. You have lost several teeth this year and your smile looks quite different than last year. You will probably need braces in the next few years, but you don't seem worried in the least. You love to wear your hair in a pony tail most days, but occasionally you like for me to braid it, too. You love to watch 90s shows with your daddy, belt Taylor Swift at the top of your lungs, and read Harry Potter with me.
This year you found and fell in love with soccer! You enjoyed playing with your bestie, Hadley. Your team even won a championship in the spring. You are still going strong in the sport, and enjoy training with your daddy. You especially love scoring goals. I am so proud of how quickly you have learned the sport and how hard you are willing to work to get better at it. You still cheered this year. It was your third year, and you had a blast with your other bestie Rylee. But as of right now, you have decided that soccer is your favorite!
This past summer we took you on a few different trips. We once again traveled to Virginia. You met Thomas Jefferson, and went to the Virginia Aquarium. We also went to Hilton Head Island--where you decided that the ocean is only cool if the water is clear. We played soccer on the beach, got ice cream nearly every night, and I even got stung by a sting ray... ouch! In September, we went back to Disney. You ride pretty much everything. Your favorite park is Animal Kingdom, and your favorite ride is still Everest. This time Dylan came with us, and we loved watching you interact with each other. We plan to go back this September, too!
In August you started 2nd grade. Mrs. Wells is your teacher, and one of your good friends, Carter, is in your class this year. You are still enjoying gifted with Mrs. Schwammle. You made a few good friends so far this year, and even invited a new friend to your birthday party! You had another slumber party this year for your birthday and you all stayed up until 3 am--Whew! I am still tired from that one!
You still love to play with LOL dolls and Barbies, but I do feel like our time is limited with toys. Sports and electronics are definitely what you would choose to spend your time and effort on this year. We are very happy about that, but it still makes me sad to see all of the little girl things start to turn into big girl things.
Most all this year you are closer to becoming the person you are going to be. You are smart, caring, and honest, but you can also be challenging, hard-headed, and sassy. Whatever you are--I shall love you just as I do now.
Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet P.
Love,
Mommy
January 13, 2021
Dear Piper,
Today you turn 7! Every year I sit here and write this letter to you and say the same thing. I cannot believe that you are 7. You are such a young lady now. You definitely are not a baby. Your seventh year of life has been quite a doozy, but it has been for all of us. I'm sure one day you will look back on this year with fond memories. It is the year that we spent together. The year where you were unable to finish Kindergarten because of a virus and subsequent pandemic. We did a lot during quarantine. You dad and I tried to keep things fun, educational, and as normal as possible. I hope that we succeeded!
You weigh about 55 pounds now and are around 50 inches tall! Your hair is still long, wavy, thick, and dark. Your eyes are more hazel than green these days, but I love them just the same. You have developed a few tiny freckles on your nose. You have started losing your baby teeth and have lost 5 this past year. You still love Taylor Swift and will belt just about any of her songs from the backseat of the car. Your current favorite TV show is Victorious from Nickelodeon. It's an older show that your brother Dylan watched as a kid too. Your Favorite color is turquois, and your favorite food is Mommy's Mac and Cheese.
This year you are in First Grade with Mrs. Hall. This is a very different school year where you have had to wear masks, and social distance as much as possible. There are limits to who you can play with on the playground, and all kinds of weird things. BUT you, my flexible baby girl, have taken all of those changes in stride. You are your typical happy, sassy, self. This year you have continued to grow and learn. You are doing so well learning to read. It is secretly my favorite each night listening to you read books as I comb your hair after your shower. I can't wait to start reading Harry Potter with you before bedtime next year! This year at school you also tested into the Gifted Program. We are so very proud of you--you little smarty pants!
Despite the pandemic, we were able to make to it Disney World this year. You love it there! This was the first trip where we didn't take the stroller, and we honestly didn't miss it. You got tired by the end of the day, but you didn't really whine. You are still our little travel buddy who would much prefer to be out and about than at home. You were finally old enough to ride everything, and you did so enthusiastically. You even rode the Rock n' Roller Coaster, your first coaster to go upside down. Even though you had to wear a mask the whole time. I think it was worth it. We had a blast. We didn't make it to our condo in Virginia, and there were no cruises. We had a summer spent lounging at the pool, and playing with your neighborhood bestie, Tambrey. There were lots of Board Games, movie nights, and days spent learning to ride your bike without training wheels, and tying your shoes. Both of which you can do now! Overall, when I think about this last year--I am grateful that I had more time to savor 6 year old you!
You had a blast in your second season cheering for the Lanier Lions. You love tumbling and stunting. I am so looking forward to next season. You also enjoy your girl scout troop. You especially like the cookies!
Happy Birthday Pipes! I love you big! You give me so much love each and everyday. I hope you get just a fraction of that today on your special day.
Love,
Mommy