On the occasion of my daughter’s 11th birthday, I wanted to share the 11 things I love about my 11-year-old.
She is amazing and here’s why:
1. She writes with passion. Stories, notes, letters, you name it. This letter to me at Mother’s Day will touch my heart forever.
2. She is studious and hard-working. The girl works for and deserves her good grades!
3. She wanted to learn how to play the ukulele. And so she did! I’m about as musical as a hippopotamus, so this impresses me.
4. She is a tremendous athlete. She doesn’t believe she is, which is even better in my mind. After I spent years around my son’s teams, where EVERY SINGLE boy thinks he is the next coming of Wayne Gretzky, my daughter’s natural athleticism is refreshing.
5. She loves animals–and they love her. Being a veterinarian is on her radar. And with her studious and hard-working ways (see #2), I think this career choice could be a great fit.
6. My daughter loves her brother. Really, she admires him and thinks he’s the greatest. If only everyone could be loved in this world they way my daughter loves her brother.
7. She can crack the best jokes. Pretty smart jokes, too. Recently my husband ordered soup along with his main meal. The server brought soup, a bread plate, and his main dish to the table. “I guess he’s having the buffet,” quipped my daughter.
8. She is a true friend. I have heard over the years from parents and teachers just how good a friend she is.
9. She likes who she likes and she doesn’t like who she doesn’t like. I think this will help her in the real world as she’s not stuck in the traditionally female box of trying to get everyone to like her.
10. My daughter is a dreamer. She still believes in fairies, in Santa, and God-winks.
11. She is my only daughter, a gift from God, whom we love and cherish in our family!
Happy birthday to my 11-year-old!
While this might not be your daughter’s best birthday gift this year, Katy, I’ll bet that it’ll rank right up there with the best ever of them as she reads it again in the years to come.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted…Getting My Ducks In A Row
Thank you, Kelly. One day I hope she does appreciate these words of mine. I’ll still love her even if she doesn’t. š
No. 12 should be that she’s also a wonderful granddaughter. Thoughtful, caring, considerate and a pleasure to be around. I love and cherish our phone conversations where she holds nothing back and freely shares everything that is going on in her life. My heart is happy every time I hear her voice or get to spend time with her.
She sounds like a gem, and I love that she loves her brother, My kids are like that too. I am so grateful they love each other. Tell your cute girl to keep up the awesome š
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #89
Thank you, Jen! I love that phrase: keep up the awesome. š
Happy birthday to your daughter! I love that she isn’t bothered about making people like her – women doe tend to worry about that a lot, and we shouldn’t!
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…3 Mini M/M Book Reviews
Thank you! Yes, I hope she doesn’t lose that quality as she moves through the teen years.
She sounds just gorgeous Katy and I love that she is free of spirit and her own person. Our daughters share the same age and same hair colour!! There is something a bit individual about these redheads!! Thanks for sharing with #tweensteensbeyond
What a lovely post Katy. I hope your daughter has read it, printed it off and will keep it forever. #TweensTeensBeyond
Midlife Dramas in pyjamas recently posted…Midlife Elf ā Day 5
I should show this to her, shouldn’t I? I hope she likes it. š
Katy recently posted…11 Things I Love About My 11-Year-Old
Yes you absolutely should x
Midlife dramas in pyjamas recently posted…Midlife Elf ā Day 6
As a fellow mum to a 11-year-old and a mom to a single child as well , this post resonated with me š I did a similar post when mine turned 11 earlier this year and this one had me smiling in all the right spots.
May your daughter always be strong, athletic, kind and witty. May she bring joy to your lives for a long, long time.
#TweensTeensBeyond
Shailaja Vishwanath recently posted…How I’ve gone without yelling for over 800 days
This is so beautiful! I love this! i was actually thinking of doing this for my son when he turns 11 at the end of the month. This is just such a wonderful thing! Your daughter sounds amazing! Happy Birthday to her! #TweenTeensandBeyond
Thank you Michelle! I had previously done one for my son when her turned 13 and it was on my list of mothering duties to make sure I did one for my daughter, too.
Aww a very happy birthday to a lovely girl. She sounds very special and it’s clear that you have a wonderful relationship. Number 9 is fantastic – it’s so important that our kids learn to be a good judge of character. Thanks so much for sharing with us at #TweensTeensBeyond
Katy this is a really beautiful ode to your daughter full of those elements you love about her relationship with you as a family as well as those around her. I hope that you have printed this off for her! Thanks for sharing with us. #TweensTeensBeyond
Jo – Mother of Teenagers recently posted…Keeping Your Children Safe Online #WhoIsSam
Thank you, Jo! I didn’t realize how much my words oozed with love until I started reading the comments to this post. They make me happy.
A beautiful tribute! As a father of a 10 year old boy (and a 6 year old one) I often wonder what having a daughter would have been like. I like to dream that it would have been much like this. I wish much success to your “little’ girl. May she always be as headstrong and determined.
Eric recently posted…The Daily Elf: December 11th
Thank you, Eric! I admit I enjoy having one boy and one girl–they are very different at times, yet similar in so many ways.
After reading these, I love your 11-year-old., too! I have to say, I don’t really have a favorite age of kids because all stages are great in their own way, but I will absolutely say that 10-11 are the easiest! They are just so delightful and funny and fun, and past the need for you to do every little thing but not to the emotional rollercoaster that is puberty. Enjoy the sweet spot.
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