Happy 7th birthday, Camryn!

Dear Camryn,
I cannot believe that it is time again to say, "Happy Birthday" to you. It has officially been seven years now since you made me a mommy, and I couldn't be more proud of what you've learned and how you've grown.

If anything, this past year has been "the year of friendships." You have learned so much, in the best ways possible, and also in the hardest. You said a difficult goodbye last summer to your close friend Colin when he moved away, and it broke my heart to watch you navigate that particular childhood rite of passage. I am proud of you however, for continuing your friendship with him over the miles, via Skype, email, and good old-fashioned, hand written letters. I know that someday, you will see each other again.

You have also made some powerful bonds with some new BFFs of your own finding. At both dance and school, you have identified and befriended some of the sweetest, spunkiest girls. None of them were neighbors, or even children of my own friends. These are your close circle of friends whom you yourself chose to be surrounded by, and I have to say, I am very proud that you are such a good judge of character. :)

You have continued to enjoy many of your longtime favorites this year, including being a performer, singing along with Taylor Swift, and reading dozens and dozens of books, but you have also explored some new 'firsts' as well. You started Daisy Girl Scouts, you went to your first concert, you sampled Hip Hop dance class, and now Jazz too. You will soon start playing softball as well, and you continue to try new things with unabashed enthusiasm. You are absolutely, 100% willing to try anything new. This is one of the things I love most about you.

At school, your academics have continued to amaze us. You love, love, love to read, and you devour entire books in minutes. I've lost track of your scores, but I know your reading level is somewhere in the fifth grade range, based on the chapter books that you read and comprehend independently. It is such a strange sensation to watch some of my own fifth grade students struggle with the very books that you whiz right through without a second thought. In fact, reading comes so easy to you, that sometimes we have to remind you that not everything will always come so naturally. You are very hard on yourself, and expect 100% perfection all the time. You are disappointed when you don't come home with a perfect score on your Spelling test each week, and even though you are very good at it, you call math your "dragon." We are constantly working together to slay it! :)

I love watching your excitement about life, and your innate sense of confidence. The things you say make your Daddy, your teacher, and I laugh every single day. Your genuine wonder at new information and experiences are so fun to watch. I hope you keep that forever and ever, always knowing just how smart, beautiful, and amazing you are.

Happy 7th birthday, my Sweet Peanut.
We love you!
Love, Mommy & Daddy