10th Birthday

10! I can't believe you are 10! 

Per usual, you are excited for some independence, but also cautious. You'll probably take the city bus this fall in 5th grade, and asked if if we would come with you the first few times. Of course! Then days later you started asking if you were allowed to go different places, like Starbucks, on your way to or from school. Oh dear. 

Last week were the first results of the middle school lottery. We were super excited and thankful that you got into Head Middle Magnet that will feed into MLK High. They are both great schools and I think the math and science focused MLK will be perfect for you. It was actually your first choice when you learned they had no SSA. Unfortunately on Monday, you found out most of your LDC friends got into other schools. You were disappointed at first, but by Tuesday you were doing a lot better. The transition to middle school will be hard for everyone, no matter the school. We are all going to do our best to stay close with your LDC friends and make sure the transition goes as well as possible. I've been really proud of your ability to stay positive, sway others when there is negative school talk, or even leave the conversation. :)

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. Interior Design- We love watching interior design shows, and had so much fun on the Lockeland Springs home tour. You made lots of notes. You also had a great time designing your room, and just asked yesterday if you could redesign it when you are 15.

2. Music - Your Dad has totally influenced your music taste, and you love listening to the playlist that you made on Amazon. It includes everything from Taylor Swift, bits from Brian Regan, the BeeGees, the Hamilton soundtrack, The Turtles, the Waitress soundtrack, and Postmodern Jukebox.

3. Plays, Musicals - Yes - still love this. You're goal in piano this year was to learn something from a musical. You had to teach your teacher all the songs. She had no idea! You asked to listen to the Waitress soundtrack in the car during your birthday and your friends didn't know any of the music; so you asked to switch it to Hamilton. :) Next on our list to see Dear Evan Hansen.

4. New this year - Words Games- You got a phone for Xmas and you are loving crossword games or word games in general. You also can't stop yourself and on a recent test you were asked to list all all the correct answers from the multiple choice options. The answer was A, B, and D. But then you had to list all possible variations of this -  BAD, DAB, DBA, BDA, ADB. Your teacher wrote "Ha! :)" next to it.

5. Reading - I'm adding this back on. We finally read the first Harry Potter book and we're currently reading through the Kate diCamillo books. You also loved a book you found at the TN Festival of Books. You even heard the author speak and got her autograph. :) Generally you bring 2-3 books to school everyday.

Accomplished Goals:

1. Chores- We're not consistent on asking, but in general you are doing better at putting away your clothes, unloading the dishwasher, cleaning the kids bathroom, and vacuuming. 

2. Responsibility - I've was pleasantly surprised, but during Read-a-thon week, you were so focused that you spent the second we got home - reading, doing your homework, and piano all on your own. I even had to bring your dinner to you. 

3. Independence-  Still testing things out- but we've left you at home for like 10-15 min at a time. 

Goals for next year:

Branch out and embrace you! I'm hoping middle school brings you the opportunity to try some new things, make new/different friends, and really focus on what you are interested in - what brings you joy! 

Love you- 

Mommy