Happy birthday! April 13th will always be an extra special day for me because it is the day I became a mother. I know I always tell you that, but it is true.
This past year, I noticed a shift in our relationship. I felt a little awkward, like I wasn't sure how to interact with you. At times, you were still my little girl who wanted to cuddle with me on the couch, but other times you were full-on moody teenager who just wanted to be alone in her room with her phone and iPad. One thing that has really helped us, I think, is that we started watching "Gilmore Girls" together. I know your dad always complains about us watching it and he thinks the topics are a bit too mature for you, but I think it has helped us move to this new phase of our mother-daughter relationship. Almost every night, we cuddle up on the couch and watch an episode or two after the boys are in bed. When topics come up that are a little mature, we talk about them openly. I know you love this time together, too, because you chose to stay home and have a Gilmore Girls marathon with me today instead of our normal day of pedicures and movies for your birthday. I am so happy you still want to spend your birthday with your ol' mom.
I still rely on you a lot to help me with your brothers or to do things around the house. You are so great that you almost never complain about it. I honestly do not know what I would do without your help.
Although you are getting older and more mature, you are still the same in a lot of ways. You still love stuffed animals and narwhals, you still read to fall asleep, you still don't care about fashion and prefer to wear leggings and t-shirts most days, you still like do soccer/softball/swim, and you still prefer to think of boys as just friends. Next year you will be starting middle school and I know a lot of those things will change. Please don't be in too much of a rush to grow up.
Ellie, I just have to tell you how very proud I am of you. You are a funny, smart, and caring person. And you are dang fun to hang out with. Thank you for spending your birthday with me.
Happy 11th birthday, my Ellie-belly!
Love you forever,
Mama
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