Well, Miss Nora, you are now 8 years old! And what a busy time in life as we celebrated your 8 years!
I had promised you a friend birthday party after you didn't get to have one last year, due to my tendonitis. So, even though we were preparing to move across the country, I planned a little celebration at our Creekside Ranch neighborhood splash pad and park the Saturday before we moved. Honey and Grandpa got to be there, along with Nana, and a mix of friends from school and Grace Fellowship. The weather was perfect and you were delighted with the whole thing. Then we got to have a family celebration at Bicentennial Park in Southlake with Honey and Grandpa, all 4 aunts and uncles, and all 4 cousins!
June 1 fell in the middle of our drive to South Carolina, but you had asked me specifically if we could please not drive on your birthday. So, we planned to spend the whole day in Nashville and what a special birthday it was. We stayed in the coolest 3 story air bnb called "the treehouse," and you and Luke had a ball exploring and climbing the stairs. We went to an Adventure Science center in the morning, then had lunch at True Food Kitchen, one of my absolute favorites.
Over lunch we each went around the table and listed 8 things we love about you. It was especially meaningful to hear what Luke had to say... "I like the way you style your hair"... "You're smart"... "You're tough, not like some other girls"... "You have a strong voice"... "You're trustworthy." You later told me hearing what we had to say was the highlight of your day, and that you had never thought of some of those things about yourself. :) Grandpa met us in Nasvhille that afternoon, then after opening your presents, we went down to Broadway for some Jack's BBQ. Afterward, we returned to the air bnb to stick a candle in some gluten free oreos. A fun and unique birthday indeed!
At 8 years old,
You are starting to look older. You've always looked a bit on the younger side for your age, with some adorable chubby cheeks, but you are starting to lose some of the baby look and just looking older in your smile and expressions. We have mixed feelings about this. ;)
You are getting taller and slimmer as well. You grew 5 pounds and 2.5 inches this past year. Dr. Batchelor was pleased to see this and gave you a hug at your last well visit with her. I can tell she's going to miss you!
You have started to show some sass and are needing more reminders about your attitude. You are still very sweet and really respond very well to correction, returning to your cheerful self pretty quickly.
You have started dealing with some car sickness. I was worried about it for our long drives across the country, but very thankfully you did well wearing the bands and used a behind the ear patch some, too.
You will now eat broccoli, so peas aren't your lone vegetable. ;)
You continue to make such a good impression on your teachers and coaches. I hear nothing but good things about you from them. What an example you are to others, a model student, a great listener, so good at following instructions. One of your softball coaches said how much he loved coaching you and that he'd love a team full of Noras!
On that note, you have become quite the softball player. Something really clicked this past season and you became a consistently strong hitter, getting on base just about every time you were up to bat. You also played third base on defense. I was really proud of you for sticking with your new team, the Rangers, when you started out feeling like you missed your old team, the Outlaws. By the end, you had made new friends and had a great experience.
You seem to have processed this move really well. You expressed plenty of sadness over leaving your friends, our church, your school, etc., but it also showed me what a happy and secure life you have. And you have been adapting well, already excited about our summer lake house, our new church, and new home.
You've been such a good friend to so many. I've noticed how well liked you are by your peers, both girls and boys. Several wanted a picture with you at the end of the year, wanted to be pen pals, and I could tell they were genuinely going to miss their good friend.
You love dogs, even though you still feel timid around them. You told us recently you have a collection of imaginary dogs (huskies and Pomeranians) that follow you around. You really took to the Meyer-Cunos' pets and love to talk about them. And you keep asking me when we can go swimming at their pool!
I love you, dear girl, and am so thankful I get to be your mother.
Love,
Mommy
