Happy 8th Birthday Piper

 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