B

How does a girly girl who loves purples and pinks and everything glittery choose Star Wars as her favorite toy, book, movie, and game to play? Somewhere in between Snow White and Princess Jasmine, B found her most favorite princess of them all...Princess Leia. Always the entertainer, she makes the world a brighter place with her laughter and booty shakes. B has a love of silly dancing. She has mastered such moves as "the sprinkler" and "the Whammy" and has created a few moves of her own. Perhaps what stands out most for my youngest daughter is her enormous heart. Things have never been financially easy for our family. Our children have learned to appreciate the things that they have, choose not to whine about what they don't, and know that there are plenty of others have far less. A few years ago, B was sitting in the kitchen with me while I made up the week's grocery list. We talked about her upcoming birthday and what type of cake she'd like to have. At no time did I state anything about her birthday party, who we'd invite, or anything of the sort. I mentioned the cake. That was it. B put her little arm around my shoulders and said, "Mom, I don't care what we do for my birthday as long as we're all together." Dear Lord, Thank you for the most amazing little girls. I am truly blessed!

Such a Funny Gal

Born with darling dimples that frame her impish face, M has the most contagious belly laugh that resonates deep within one's soul. With that laughter comes an adult-size sense of humor which sometimes causes her parents a bit of grief when she is misunderstood by her same-age peers.

Sitting with good friends last night while we awaited the start of our oldest daughter's first choir concert, M was visibly upset that her younger sister had found a friend to sit beside. A family friend noticed her disappointment and immediately made an attempt to strike up a conversation with M. "M, would you like to come by me? We can talk about school...and boys...and giggle!" M wasn't buying into it. I then attempted to prompt her slightly by offering, "M, tell Robin who the Grand Marshall in the parade is going to be." M took the bait, "Grandpa George!" Robin was quick to tell her how exciting that must be and asked her if she and her sister would be riding alongside. M explained that she wasn't sure yet, as parade details were still in development. When Robin asked if M had been practicing her "parade wave", M didn't miss a beat. With a twinkle in her eyes and a showcase of those lovely dimples she simply stated, "I been practicing my whoooole life!"

363 Days

It is official. Less than one year to go, and I will be forced to admit that I am the mother of a teenager. Yikes!

Where did the time go? Only yesterday, she was a squished up little bundle that did nothing but poop and hiccup. She easily became a "nookie" girl and didn't go anywhere without her Pooh pacifiers and her white fleece Pooh blanket. When she was a toddler, she would use her "cute face" to get what she wanted. Grandpa fell for it every time. She loved to watch Beauty and the Beast at 18 months old...start to finish, only getting up to refill her bowl of cheeseballs.

The wrinkles are gone from her fingers, her round belly now slender. That "nookie" has been easily replaced by an iPod, although she still drags around a blanket made especially for her by her favorite Big Sara. She still uses that cute face, and Grandpa still gives in to her every whim. The Disney movies have been tossed aside in exchange for iCarly and Hannah Montana, although those, too, seem to be losing her interest.

Twelve years later, my big girl still loves to snuggle, has never waivered from her favorite color blue, and will remain a Daddy's Girl through and through. She carefully walks the line of tweenager, choosing to "play" with her younger sisters while choosing to "hang out" with friends her own age. Her father and I are sometimes "uncool", but we're okay with that. We know in the end, she has her priorities straight...for now...and feel blessed to have such an amazing daughter.