This weekend my Izzy turned 8! I can't believe how time has flown so fast. Part of me longs for the little girl who was always at my side. Yet I enjoy seeing her grow into the daughter she is today. On her official birthday, she was a bit under the weather (GI bug). My food lover only wanted the cake, no frosting. That speaks volumes of how bad she felt this day.
Things about Izzy I want to remember from this past year:
1. You are in 2nd grade. You love school especially mathematics. Reading however continues to be a struggle. With a formal dyslexia diagnosis and supports from your amazing school, I hope to see you soar over the next year. It has been rough going through the evaluations to come to this diagnosis. But you have been a trooper and kept a smile even when the testing was tough for you. It is helpful to be reminded that your mother bears your same traits.
2. You are a social butterfly. I continually run into people outside who know you and say hi. I receive emails and test messages from parents saying how kind you are to them. You made a get well card for one of your closer friend's mother after she needed her pacemaker replaced. That was very touching for her. I hear the same things at your parent teacher conferences.
3. You love FOOD. You want to be a chef when you grow up. You are more and more interested in helping out in the kitchen. You are becoming more comfortable with your knife skills though making your mother very nervous.
4. You are right brain dominant. This year you were in your first theatre group and thrived. Your drawings are amazing and continue to improve. Its no wonder why you received so many birthday gifts that were drawing inspired. You also have a beautiful voice. I love to listen to it when you are unaware of me listening. Voice lessons may come in handy if theatre is your path.
5. You are still not sports inclined. To include more physical activity over the winter, you (reluctantly) joined a basketball group. I know that was tough for you bring tears to your and my eyes. But you stuck with it being 1 of 2 girls in the group. Our spring attempt at sports seems to be going much better... T-ball. You have thrown out most runners to 1st base and have nailed a few line drives to shortstop. I know you are enjoying this as you said to me after the first practice, "T-ball fits me". Music to your mother's ears.
6. You are the best big sitter to Micah & Victoria. This comes at a price but great life lessons. I constantly see you give up something that you really want for them. When I acknowledge how selfless that was, you carry the biggest smile.
A rainbow inspired birthday cake. This was so much fun to make knowing there was a surprise inside.
We spent a part of the afternoon at my friend Kerry's house. She always spoils them. The face masks to decorate were no exception.
Poor Eric was tackled by Izzy & Micah. They were all in rare form.
My supergirl! We have now entered the realm of superhero's as Micah loves Batman, Spiderman, Ironman, etc. Learning about the superhero girls has also been fun. Izzy's favorites are Wonder Woman and Poison Ivy.
We stumbled onto the series "The Land of Stories". Because Izzy struggles to read these type of books, I read them to her. These books are 500+ pages which can take awhile to get through. It also makes for checking them from the library challenging. We either pay a fine as we'll be late in returning them or return them as we are unable to renew them (someone else has requested the book). To solve that problem, this was my present to Izzy.
Ready for the beach or another plane trip!
