12

This year the girl hit her growth spurt, and her legs shot out the bottoms of all her pants. We had to start shopping in the smallest size of the teen section just to get jeans that go all the way down to her feet. She joined cheerleading, discovered manga, and groans when she’s asked to help around the house, so that’s all right on schedule. She’s a happy person, funny and bright, and the thought of anything coming along and dimming her shine makes me want to fight the world.

To celebrate, we went ice skating with her two best friends, ate out at her favorite restaurant, and did cake and presents at home. Leif was a solid big brother and held her hand on the ice when her friends took a break to eat pizza. They’re getting along better and better as they get older, and I really hope they stay close as adults.

Love these kids. Happy birthday, baby girl. Question authority, trust your instincts, check your sources, speak up when you see cruelty, stare down bullies, and let your weirdness shine. 

Also Leif said I need to write down this dumb thing I said over cake: “Right about now is when he would have gotten pregnant with himself.” 

I was going to type out context, but nah.