You turned 9 years old

My dear Zoe,

It's been an amazing year for you. You had great successes at school, both in reading and in math. You broke your fear of math thanks to your teacher Mrs. Rasmussen, who noticed your anxiety, and approached me early in the year to join forces to help you beat it. And you did! In the standardized test you scored at Level 4, which is the highest level, meaning that you "Exceeded Expectations" both in verbal and math. Your report cards were just as impressive.

At Boys and Girls Club you were selected Youth of the Year.

You are a great friend, fair, empathetic, and a very decent human being.

I know I give you a hard time when you don't clean up your mess, or act bossy to your sister, but these are so small compared to your decency and grace.

Now about your birthday:

You wanted to have an Arts and Crafts themed birthday party in our back yard during the school year, so you could celebrate it also with friends who tend to go out of town in summer time. We decorated the back yard and set up various stations such as beading, glitter tattoo, paper arts, and sewing, and not to forget the all you can eat candy buffet. You'r not into creamy cakes, so we ordered an ice cream cake from Ben and Jerry's.

On your real birthday yesterday, you had a mini celebration at your summer camp, and then at home we had a family celebration. Echo wanted me to decorate the house extra birthdaylike, so we had a lot of balloons and streamers. and upon your request, a Chocolate Decadent cake. It feels more like a giant chocolate bar than a cake to us, but it seems to be your favorite. Because you are such a hungry reader, we got you your own Kindle so you can read all the books you want anywhere you go. You also asked for a notebook for your writing career.  I picked a hard covered notebook so you can write on the go, without needing a hard surface to support you. It's pink, with a picture of a llama, decorated with wild flowers. I dedicated it to you:

For your continued adventures in writing.
Keep sailing away in the sea of words and imagination.
I'm your first and #1 reader and fan forever.

I love you!
Happy 9th birthday.

Mommy.