Aging Squid

See, I told you I'd spotlight my Squid at some point. And this isn't just to even the score. I really am struck this week with this little lady. She went and got all old on me. She finished Jr. High and has started summer Driver's Ed all in one week. What the heck?!

This girl is really something special. She is so considerate of everyone around her. She could care less about football, but she dons the official family team colors and smiles because she knows it makes her dad happy. 

And she is always always willing to pose for a photo opp for mom, especially if there's humor to be found in it. Who else would find the giant weed growing in the driveway funny?

She has always had an amazing sixth sense with animals. She can calm any critter that crosses her path. It is precious the relationship she has with her Ella. Here she is with Ella and the fancy bday hat she made for the dang cat. Miss Ella turned 8 this year. They've kind of grown up together.

She's kind of that girl that we all "hate." You know, the one that's gorgeous and good at everything! Squid has mastered the piano, excelled at violin, and now she plays a mean guitar. She was blessed to get musical genes from Grandma Mary. Did I mention the 4.0 she graduated Jr. High with?

Always the goofball! Those would be Mommy's genes coming through!!!

Just plain wonderful!

 Love you Squid! Go ahead and stop growing up any time now!

My Smallest Person

Being a mom is a tricky business. One minute one kid will pop in the room and I can't believe how much I love her and I only want to spend the day with just her. But then the other little munster will pop in and I can't believe how much I love her and I only want to spend the day with her. Then you put them together (and wait till they're done bickering) and I can't believe how much I love them as sisters and I only want to spend the day with both my babies. What's a mom to do?

Well tonight it struck me that I want to show off my little Bear. I'll keep it even-steven and showcase Squid at a later date, don't you worry. But for right now, I can't believe how much I love my little blondie and I only want to talk about her.

She can really rock a beanie, especially one that's pink and flowery and oh-so-girly.

 How beautiful is she?! I am so proud of this little lady. She has really begun to shine in Jr. High and has impressed me so much with her flute playing. I still can't make noise come out of that dang thing, and she's playing it like crazy all the time!

She is so much fun to watch in the kitchen. She is always baking up something yummy, and of course it's always cute!

 And then she picks up my camera and figures out how to take artsy-fartsy photos with my new camera lens before I can even figure it out.

Whaaaa????  What happened to my teeny-tiny baby girl?

Seriously, she'll be driving this thing for real before I know it. I'm not going to blink for the next four years and hopefully not miss another minute of her growing up!

I love you Martian!