Happy 9th Birthday, Ironflower!

Dear Ironflower,

     Every time I find it hard to believe that you are 9 - like when I see a picture like this:

Or like this:

You then say something so smart or hilarious that I am reminded that you are, in fact, an amazing kid - but not so much my little girl anymore. You've handled the transition to the notably difficult third grade curriculum so well, on top of many hours of dance a week and having to wear uncomfortable spreaders. You are so capable. 

You are a devoted friend and would prefer to be friends with everyone. You try to be inclusive and are able to get along with so many different ages of kids. That makes me so proud of you. You also play so well with your brothers; despite needing some alone time in your room sometimes, you are close to both of them. 

Though you've been reading for a while, I feel like this year you began a devotion to the printed word that rivals my own. You read for fun. You'll read just about anything put in front of you, but you have definite preferences. And you've become a definite Harry Potter nerd, with a love of Hermione that makes me tear up a little. 

I love that you still play with your American Girl dolls and Legos and your imagination. You are (very sensibly) not rushing off into crushes on One Direction and only being able to entertain yourself with screens. You're already asking for a phone, though. 

You are great at standing up for yourself and speaking your mind. Even when it's not necessarily the best time to do that. I hope with all my heart that you stay this independent and strong-willed forever; even though it might drive us crazy during your teen years. 

You are still interested in sea animals and ocean life. I love that you are so against Sea World after learning about some of their practices from the young woman at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. We don't even need to watch Blackfish, which I'm pretty sure would break your heart. 

Ironflower, I love you so much and I'm so honored to be your mom. Much as I may occasionally miss the little girl you used to be (I do so love buying flouncy dresses), I adore the young woman you're becoming. 

       Love,           

 Mommy       

Friday I'm in Love: Nerd Happiness

I spent a long time hiding my nerdiness. Not admitting that I'd already read and enjoyed the book that my classmates were groaning about. Not admitting that I still played with my dollhouses at 12. Not admitting that I loved doing research in the library.

But in college, living in a dorm, I couldn't hide it anymore. Probably the weekend I stayed in reading my freshmen roommate's books from her literature class, instead of going out with said roommate, was what forced me to come out as a nerd.

I just want to point out that that was at least ten years before nerds were cool and hot actors started showing up at Comic-Con.

So, fellow nerds, this is for you:

• There's now a role-playing game for Jane Austen nerds. You are welcome.

• This is for European history nerds. My favorite profile is "Hindsight".

• I don't get all of these, but I liked the ones I did. Jokes for nerds. 

• Usually, I don't really get Tumblr, but then I found My Daguerreotype Boyfriend. 

• Harry Potter nerdiness. 

Friday I'm in Love: Post Positive Day

Today is Post Positive Day.

Which should explain why I've been so negative all week - I was clearing everything out so that I could be positive today. Okay, I'm exaggerating. It's really just that I vent a lot on social media.  In real life, I am much more positive than I am on social media. I promise.

Anyway, here are some things that made me happy this week:

• The Cybex Arc Trainer: My gym just got these. They are like elliptical trainers, but harder. Much harder. My calves - the one part of my body that I've always thought were in shape - were on fire after day 2. We won't talk about my thighs and arms. 

• Travis Erwin, author: A million years ago, when the internet was new and shiny and pretty, I "met" Travis in a blogging community. Now he is the author of real, published books. I promise that his first, The Feedstore Chronicles, is hysterical. I'm about to start his second book,
  Twisted Roads, which looks like it will be really interesting. 

• Terrible Real Estate Agent Photographs: If you like Cakewrecks, you will like this. Though the site isn't exactly positive, it makes me feel positive, so that's something, right? I can't help that I'm a huge fan of snark. 

• A great reminder to be awesome at the awesome From Tracie. 

• A Fluffy Alphabet from an amazingly positive lady at BecominNeurotic. 

• I'm still not yelling. Though I may have banged my head against a wall once or twice and maybe kind of raised my voice a few times, it's still a huge improvement.