Happy Birthday Davis!

How much do I love this girl? 

She amazes me every day. She's funny, witty, independent, intelligent...a critical thinker. She is still a "kid" even at thirteen. Yet, she is like a mini adult. She is someone who you want to have a conversation with. She can hold her own in a room full of adults. She doesn't care what other people think of her. She's a self proclaimed nerd and is okay with that. 

She loves My Little Pony, video games, and art. She doesn't care that that might not be "cool." She's someone who you want to be around. She understands the world better than some adults I know. She loves her family- her parents and her grandparents. She still likes to cuddle with me and hold my hand. She still calls me "Mommy" and in front of her friends too. She loves animals. And while she doesn't suffer idiots, she has a sensitive side that wants to help people.

She's an introvert. She loves her friends, but she gets her energy from being alone and drawing, reading, or doing research online. Her heroes are artists or video game designers, not pop stars. She's independent. She doesn't wait for someone else to tell her if she's "cool" or not, she just doesn't care. She likes what she likes and that's okay with her. 

She loves old things. She appreciates vintage and is obsessed with stagecoaches and top hats. She wears vintage clothes and hats. She loves the Haunted Mansion and can quote you it's history better than anyone I know. 

Every day I wonder how did I get so lucky to have such an amazing child? She knows we have her back, all the time. We support her interests, her dreams, her aspirations. I am lucky. I like her. I want to be around her all the time and I love her with a ferociousness that breaks my heart if I dwell on it to much. She amazes me every day. I am excited to see the young woman she will become. 

Will all of these personality traits "stick." I hope she always stays true to herself and doesn't let peer pressure change her. She's a goofball. And she's my goofball. I thank God everyday for that. 

We celebrated her birthday with dinner at Farrell's last night. There was a "balloon guy" and I asked her if thirteen was too old for a balloon. She was like "No way" I want a balloon. And my heart soared. She's still my little girl, for now. No hurry to grow up. And I love that. I love she still wants to be a kid. That she understands growing up brings a new set of problems and she wants to hold on to being young as long as she can. I love that about her. There's no hurry. No rush to be a teenager. I will let her be her goofy, kid self as long as she wants to be. I love it. I love her. 

I think this picture from her party sums up her quirkiness. She was so excited to get a Minecraft head..we laughed so hard!

She has an amazing group of friends that love and support her goofiness. None of them batted an eye when she asked for My Little Pony for her birthday. They even searched the card aisle for MLP birthday cards for her...even though they were meant for a five year old. 

Her friends rock! I admire her for choosing them so wisely.

What will this next year bring now that she is officially a teenager? I have no idea. Whatever changes happen we will love and support her through all of them. She is our everything. She is amazing.

Happy 13th Birthday Davis Barrett Fogg! I am excited to see what the future holds for you!

Love, Mom