Today is Anna's 9th birthday. I cannot tell you how much I love, adore, and am constantly amazed by this girl. She has got a special spark, I tell ya.
About two weeks ago she was quietly playing in her room (which usually means she is building, creating, or planning something.) Soon she came downstairs and silently left a paper on the table where the boys and I were seated and with a grin on her face she turned and left the room. "Butterfly Club - come sign-up in Anna's room." The boys were not interested. I smiled as I read the note, but I was busy with whatever I was busy with. Time passed and she came downstairs again, "Is anyone going to join my club?"
I was still busy with whatever I was busy with and told her "later". She walked away a little put-off. Another 10 minutes or so passed and I realized that I needed to stop what I was involved in and go join her club. I called for her, "Anna! I need you to come with me."
"What is it?" I grabbed her hand and we began walking up the stairs. As we reached the top I told her, "I want to join your Butterfly Club." She gasped in delight and froze for a split second before running to her bedroom. On the door a sign read, "Butterfly Club members only. Nock if you want to join." I entered her room just as she scurried into position behind the cardboard box turned registration desk. There she presented me with a necklace - a metal chain with one blue star bead on it.
"What do we do in the Butterfly Club?" I asked. We make crafts and projects. So we decided that each Wednesday we would hold our Butterfly Club and take turns being in charge of the craft.
It's things like this, or the time she cleaned the whole downstairs & folded all the laundry one afternoon just because she wanted to, or when she's playing goalie and dives for the ball and gets kicked in the thigh and bounces right back up (she has the bruises to prove it) . . . . all these things and I am just amazed by her little spirit.
I love you sweetie.
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These photos were taken when she was 4 years old and that spark was budding. I came across them recently and just had to share.
