Dear Chloe,
Happy 11th birthday sweetie pie!
What a year this has been for you! Today, you’ll be going to 5th grade which you have gotten more comfortable with over these last few months. At the beginning, the middle school and 5th grade was hard. To the point that you went from loving school to hating it. It was tough, you were split up from your friends, there were “upper classmen,” new challenges and responsibilities. It was a lot.
Before the school year started, you were signed up for band. Something that you changed your mind about, wanting to focus on piano and maybe sports. It was a little sad that you had a change of heart over this, but I think it was for the wisest of decisions.
A bunch of neat things happened this year for you and us! First, we made the trip to see the Reds beat the Royals in Kansas City. In extra Innings no doubt! If you recall, I was a bit negative about it. The two worst teams in the league fighting for second to last place. But you were positive and said the Reds would win. In fact, I think you even called one of the two grand slams the Reds did! Sure enough, they did win in a very exciting fashion!
And what is a stay in Kansas City without Sleep Inn and Waffle House?
Then a few months later we went to Holiday Inn in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Both you and Sam enjoyed that water park. I think you enjoyed playing with Lois at the park we met some church friends at as well. I do know that you enjoyed the Original Pancake House, going as far as to say their hash browns were better than Waffle House’s!
While up there, we managed to spend a day at the Mall of America and even meet up with your favorite Minnesota cousin L L Cool Ray. Speaking of Minnesota, we returned a few months later to get pictures of the Canadian Pacific Holiday train. It was a fun and neat trip, even if it was just a quick event.
One of the things, I know we are very proud of is you have become a bit of a leader in Patch club and was first (technically tied but I’m giving you the edge because…) as getting the Sailor Scripture down. I think you even had it a week or two before it was official (that reason…) but none the less we are proud. Of course, because you did this, we owe you Great Wolf Lodge. Still waiting on Sam…
Something you realized this year is that there is an end to everything. This was ever so evident on Good Friday when we put our friend Gary the Bengal down. It was a very sad event, and it is getting to me know typing this up. I am sorry we had to do this, and in some ways, I am sorry you and Sam witnessed it.
On a more positive note, something you discovered this year was Starbucks, which you tend to get your favorite drink, a Pumpkin Spiced Latte. It must be a hot drink, as you did not like the cold version.
As I close here, you may have noticed that this one is a bit longer than those of the past. That is partly due to me still not finding your 10-year-old one. Hopefully, no future ones go missing either!
We’re proud of you and know you’ll do great things this year!
Happy Eleventh Birthday Chloe, we all love you very much!
Love Dad, Mom, Samuel.
And a bunch of other people too!