Happy Belated Birthday

Dear Ella Jo,

This is your mama. I am sorry my birthday note to you is a bit late this year. Hey, at least it is still May. Anyway, hello, my girl. Sometimes I wish I could just freeze you in time. You are nine now, as of 2 weeks ago to be exact. For your birthday we made cupcakes, delivered to school at lunchtime, followed by a girls' only movie night out with 3 of your buddies, followed by a sleepover. Whew. It was fun. You have picked the nicest friends. I like your taste in people.

You are an amazing girl and I feel lucky every, single day of my life that I am the one who gets to be your mama. You are maturing into a beautiful and brilliant young lady. Sometimes I look at you, with your long legs, and I can't believe that you were my little chunky monkey baby girl. You are so kind. And so smart. I try not to tell you all the time how smart you are because I don't want you to ever settle or think there is no more to learn...but man, you are smart. Smart in the "Mama, that's like an ocelot" kind of way. Where I have to say, "What's an ocelot?" And you explain to me that it is a wild cat about three times the size of our kitty cat, Fraidy. Now, I consider myself to be a pretty smart girl, but I am also pretty sure I'd never known such a creature existed before you told me.

You have found a love of reading. I often catch you late in the night buried under your covers reading a favorite book (graphic novels are a favorite) or a recent National Geographic Kids! You are doing well in school - best in math and PE ... lol. A little less than perfect in writing and spelling (that's your daddy). I know you will get there. The details will come.

You are my favorite girl in the whole wide world. I could not love you any more than I do. I can't believe you are 1/2 way to college. I consider it my job and my privledge to get you there...whole, informed, wide-eyed and curious. So far I think we are doing ok!

Love,

Mama