In Training

Dear Emma,

As your 8th birthday approaches, I am reminded that my baby is a baby no more. You are blossoming into a young lady. It's evident. You're taller, you've gained an enormous amount of independence, you're facing the hard lesson of learning that there is a difference between leadership and dictatorship, and today, today you wore a bra to school.

When I picked you up from your after-school program, you talked about it, and I smiled. I smiled because you came to the conclusion that your new bra had to make an adjustment to your active lifestyle. The straps did not blend well with running and jumping and climbing. I assured you that, because your new bra really is adjustable, it'd be a quick fix. And tonight, when you were getting ready for bed, you came to me for your first lesson in new bra removal. What fun we will have when you get a new bra that actually has a hook and eyelet closure! I'm realizing that you are growing faster than I am adjusting, that some adjustments need to be made to our relationship, that you are not a baby to be babied, but a great big old girl to be guided into womanhood. Like your new bra, I can quickly adjust to that.

Love,
Mommy

Starting Anew

Dear Emma,

Its a brand new year! Welcome to 2011 baby. You were about as half excited on New Year's morning as you were on Christmas morning. And just a little confused about how much newness 2011 brought with it. Did a return from winter vacation mean saying hello to 3rd grade? I explain that wasn't the case. I guess those two weeks were extra long and well enjoyed.

You have been such a trooper, my little sidekick, my one and only true love. I am looking forward to being front and center to all you do in these next 12 months. And just think, in the next 6 months you'll be turning 8 years old. The race is on to see just how long you'll be mama's baby. Something tells me forever and always.

Love,
Mommy

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One Smart Cookie Revisited

Photo Credit

Dear Emma,

I met with your teacher this week. It was such a pleasant experience. She was excited to talk about you. She told me all about your accomplishments this year, thus far, and showed me some of your work. You are doing such a great job. I am extremely proud of you. She noted your compassion, your ability to try hard, your improvements, your leadership, and how much you genuinely love to learn. I shared with her the ways that you will randomly throw pairs of numbers out at me, testing me - confirming your own calculations. I think you are one of those people who lives life by equation. No matter what is thrown your way, you will always figure out all of the answers.

Today, I am treating you to a day at the movies. Your reward for doing your very best.

Love,
Mommy

Literary Love

Scholastic Book Club

Dear Emma,

You're so funny and cute. I love the way that you get excited about books; the way that you laugh out loud after reading something funny; the way that you are now taking your time to sound out tricky words instead of immediately turning to me for the answer. You are now fully aware that, aside from containing great knowledge, books also hold adventures. You are always so excited on Fridays, that's the day that your class gets to check out books from the library. As a second grader, you now get to choose two books, and you always take advantage of that opportunity.

These days, you are all about this one book from The Black Lagoon Adventures (can't remember which). Your class was treated, and each of you got to bring it home. I think you read your copy at least a couple times a day. When book order time rolled around, we were both excited to see the newest adventure being offered, and a box set of past adventures. Since you are so in love with them, I decided to get all of them for you. I'm looking forward to seeing those big eyes of yours light up when you bring them home.

(side note: You wore your The Very Hungry Caterpillar shirt to school today. You happen to be a big Eric Carle fan too!)

Love,
Mommy

Hi Michael

Dear Emma,

You had a great Halloween weekend. We celebrated Friday and Sunday with a Halloween parade throughout or old neighborhood, classroom party, a Halloween carnival at the local YMCA, and of course trick or treating with friends! I think, to say that your costume choice was a hit, would be an understatement. You received endless compliments on your choice. People were even addressing you directly as Michael. People were requesting to take your picture. You even had a little guy following you around waving and chanting, "Hi Michael!" You gave him a wave back with your gloved hand. Oh my God, it was just perfect. You were just perfect. This weekend couldn't have been more perfect!


As you paraded with your class through the streets of our old neighborhood, you waved to the onlookers and their flashing lights.


You did your own little step and hit your own little pose.


I was a little regretful that I opted out of wearing a costume this year. I am already looking forward to seeing what you'll choose for next year, and you are already looking forward to the next couple of weeks passing by so that you'll get the chance to break out the socks and glove again for a friend's Halloween themed birthday party!

Love,
Mommy

Its Here!

Dear Emma,

Your costume finally arrived, after being delayed a day. I was a little nervous because it was so close to your school Halloween parade. I did not want you to be costume-less come today. No worries. The classroom snack is packed for your classroom Halloween party, your costume is all ready for you to get in to, and I have cleared space on the camera to capture it all! I still remember last year, when I filmed your parade. You were so happy, with your friends, skipping along, chanting a little chant, having fun. I suspect the same today. Unlike last year, today is a bit gloomy because it rained earlier. I'm hoping that the skies will stay clear so that everything is just perfect!

Love,
Mommy

EmJay

Dear Emma,

One of your favorite times of the year will be here soon. Halloween!! You are a sucker for Halloween. You love dressing up and showing off. Last year, you were Supergirl. And not that generic pink girly Supergirl either, but the real deal, blue and red, power fist in the air Supergirl. You rocked it too, with your matching trick or treat bag. And the year before that we joined forces as Batgirl and Catwoman. We were a neighborhood hit!

As much as you love Halloween, I have always picked out your costumes. Afterall, I do know exactly what you like. But this year, I thought it was about time that you made the decision of which skin you'd like to celebrate in. You had a few choices dancing around in your head. First Witch, then vampire, then paramedic. You thought long and hard about these before making your final selection. Come October 31st, 2010, Emma will become...

EmJay!

That's right. You decided that this year you are gonna break out the sparkly socks and glove, throw on the fedora and aviators, and moonwalk your way, door to door filling your treat bag. Ever since being introduced to Michael Jackson, via his untimely passing, you've been a die hard fan. You love his music and his dance moves. You make it a point to request his music when we are on the road, and you use your computer time to research his music videos on Youtube! You are very appreciative of art, and you are one of those people who has a very special relationship to music. More on that later. For now, we will be gearing up for your ultimate transformation!

Love,
Mommy