Oh my sweet Breckin Bookworm,
At eight years old, you are a dreamer—a lover of nature, books, animals and people. You always have time to investigate a bug, interesting flower or chat with a friend, no matter how big of a hurry the rest of us are in. “Breckin, please hurry up. We’re late!” has absolutely no effect on your speed, and as much as it frustrates me, I adore you for it. You also spend lots of time lost in your own imagination. I’d give anything to peek into that creative mind of yours to see what you see!
You are such fun to talk to, because you have so many interesting facts to share with anyone who will take the time to listen. You are always enlightening us about the habits of rare animals, a favorite part of the latest book your reading or what actor is playing a part in the latest kid movie. Last summer, we went to Costa Rica and you became quite an amazing bird watcher. It was so fun to see you passionate about learning since in school you seem generally unenthusiastic and unmotivated. It is quite common for us to see you fall apart on the floor about having to do a book report or a particularly uninteresting section of your homework packet, but when learning is engages you, its truly remarkable how incredibly intelligent you are. When motivated, you can comprehend and regurgitate such large amounts of complicated information verbatim!
Seriously, I don’t know how you read as much as you do! Last week, you read over 30 books and not just little books, 30 age-appropriate, chapter books! You have already read the entire Harry Potter series except for the last half of the 7th book. You said that it was starting to get to be a little too scary and that you, “needed to take a little break” from it. I think it was starting to get a little too grown up for you to enjoy as well, but you would never admit that! You are still my kid that thinks she is already grown up and able to take care of herself. It is SO SO hard for you to follow directions, esp. if you don’t really believe in them. We try hard to make sure that you were/are a part of creating most of our family rules. It is truly our only hope of cooperation.
I adore how much you love people. You seem especially good at accepting others for all of their differences and quirks. This is truly one of your special gifts…to see beauty in everyone. Lately you have really grown in your ability to empathize with others, to put their needs before yours and to even give up something you love to make someone else happy. Seeing it in action brings such happiness to my heart and tears to my eyes. I am overwhelmed by how truly inspiring you are at such a young age.
All of the sudden you started to need some space. I swear it was the very week your turned 8 that you decided that you were too old to play with Peep and needed to sleep separate from her. We went and bought a bed for you to put in a separate room and we worked to give you space from your little sister (as much as she hated it). The funny thing is that once we allowed you to have your space, you came right back to the family and started needing us all again. Lucky us!
Every day you bring us all so much joy. I am proud to be your mama and always will be.
Happy Birthday Little Lady!!!
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