The 11th Year

Happy birthday, Alice Anne!

Today you are 11. 

That's almost a teenager. Oh my.

Like all the letters before, I'll say it again - this was a big year.

You are still in Taekwondo and currently have an advanced red belt. You got the chance to help with teaching classes. You liked being able to see the young kids you were helping advance. You asked to go to class tonight so you can break a board even though you will do everything you can do to avoid doing that on a regular class day. 

You sang several solos in front of the entire school! This SHOCKED us. You did beautifully. We were so very proud.

We got to visit Disney World and had THE BEST time - just the three of us. You rode ALL of the rollercoasters and got to tell the joke at the Monster's Joke shop. You will probably never ride the Rockin' Rollercoaster ever again but you at least rode it once!

Now you have braces! You have made very little complaints but next week you get additional hardware added and that will probably change...

You were able to spend the summer at the La Porte Parks & Rec summer camp again. You had a ball and made friends. Now you get to see them once a month at their Parent's Night Out.

You have an obsession with creating paper toys. You have a room full of cardboard houses and paper dolls and other items made out of paper, toy stuffing and tape. I don't understand it but you love it.

You started 5th grade. So far it has been a bit of a struggle because you are in a class without your core group of friends. This has been hard and I'm hoping it gets easier. Now that you are in 5th grade, you can join the Drama Club. This is something you've wanted to do since you could read the words "Drama Club" on the posters at school. This brings me so much joy.

This year will be another year for lots of change and growth and discovery. I am so thankful to be a part of it.

Watching you grow up is our greatest honor.

You are loved and supported. 

Your village is mighty. 

We love you.

Happy birthday, bruh.

Love,

Mom & Dad