Happy Birthday, Beanie!

Beanie turns nine today.

Nine! I can’t believe it.

Smart and funny, imaginative and playful, my younger daughter is truly a bright spot in the world. She is generous of heart and energetic of spirit, with a keen sense of empathy and an infectious giggle.

She loves her life. She finds wonder in some of the most unusual places, and notices things that others overlook.

She has a sublime sense of humor and seems equally comfortable playing Barbies with her sister as she does playing in the dirt with her cousins.

Bean can be forgetful and scatterbrained. She leaves her lunch box at school too often. She’ll go into her room to change for bed and still be in her clothes half an hour later because she’s allowed herself to pick up a book. She’s never, ever willfully mean, though, and does her best to be nine-year-old responsible.

She is often found sock-less, even on the chilliest of days. She twirls her hair when she’s sick, nervous, or overly tired. She still says “renember” instead of “remember”. She can’t tell a story and get dressed at the same time. Her knee-jerk answer to “what do you want for dinner” is almost always “macaroni and cheese.“

Beanie loves completely. She wants to include everyone, and feels deeply stung when she is left out. She’s a world-class snuggle buddy, and gives freely of her love and attention. I believe that her sensitivity is both her blessing and her curse.

Happy birthday, My Baby (who’s not such a baby anymore)! Every day, I’m glad you chose me to be your mom!