lily // nine

My darling girl is nine. Almost double digits, as she would say, and I can hardly believe we are almost into a decade of parenting.

Lily, you have really embraced the tween zone this year. A voracious reader, you are tearing through books at a rapid rate, including many non-children's books too (you comb through my book shelves but to your dismay as you try to squirrel them off to your room, I have to inform you that many of the books are not yet quite appropriate!). Your devotion to reading fills me with joy of course, to see you become such a little book worm! 

You love hanging out with your friends, such a social butterfly. I am so grateful that you still fill me in on every social intricacy and we talk all the issues through together. I am so in awe of how self-assured and self-aware you are. How I pray we always have this relationship, it's such a privilege to be part of your world, even as it expands and grows beyond our home. I know you are so very eager to be grown. You love to take solo walks around the block. Be part of adult social events. And yet you are still so very little and I hope you can embrace your childhood for a good while yet!

You are so very funny and quirky, a total tomboy (you now spurn dresses and don't even suggest anything pink!!!) yet you still yearn for perfume and makeup and a hair straightener. You loooooove animals and have plans to be a vet (and with zero squeamishness may very well end up there!). You are constantly writing stories and plans and lists. You are incredibly creative, always sculpting amazing things out of scraps and bits and pieces. You are incredibly articulate and socially aware. How will all these beautiful parts that make you 'you' meld together over the years? I can't wait to see how God works in your life! 

It's a blessing to parent a girl like you. While we stumble our way through this new phase, leaving early childhood behind and head towards the teen years, I know it won't always be easy being our 'trial run' as the first born. But I am more grateful than ever for our strong bond, your respectful nature, and your kind and gentle heart. You are a beautiful big sister and a wonderful girl full of light and sparkle and spunk.

We love you, Lily, and couldn't be prouder of the young woman you are becoming through the grace of God. 

The Annual Interview with Lily...

What are you going to be when you grow up?

A hard decision... so many things! An acrobat! 

What’s that going to be like?

Very fun and creative! 

What are your favourite toys?

Can they be pillows? My watermelon pillow and food!

Who are your best friends?

Hayley from church, Charlie and Elsa. 

What makes you happy?

Hanging out with friends and going to the movies with just my parents. 

What makes you sad?

When my pets die.

When you dream at night, what do you dream about?

I had a great dream about where I break world records but they all go wrong. So it's like science experiments. 

What do you like to do with Daddy?

Do weightlifting and go to the movies. 

What do you like to do with Mummy?

Go to the ice skating rink and also have snuggles.

What do you like to do with Eli?

Practise tricks on the seesaw. 

What do you like to do with Miles?

Play lego with him and snuggle wrestles. 

What’s your favourite colour?

Aqua.

What’s your favourite book?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

What does Daddy do during the day?

Works very hard and comes home tired.

What does Mummy do during the day? 

Do you help homeless people? Help homeless people and come home exhausted. 

What do you do during the day?

Hang out with friends and go to school.

It's good to be nine because.....

Because you are almost double digits and you are a TWEEN! You are also no longer an equal number. 

The collage....