On Turning Eight...

Dear Maya,
You are now eight. I can't believe it. It is so cliche, but it really seems only yesterday that you and Papa and I snuggled in that hospital bed together, and nobody else in the world knew you were here yet. We kept staring at you--couldn't believe this perfect little being was in our lives. You were so tiny and sweet! From the first days that you were with us we knew we had a special little girl in our lives. You were always independent and seemed to know what you wanted...not really content to be a baby, you grew happier and more relaxed the more milestones you reached--crawling, walking, talking, dressing yourself, setting goals and working hard until you learned the monkey bars, riding a bicycle, reading...Just look at you now. With friends of your own and a personality that is brave and fun and stylish and creative.
You have turned into such a fun and spirited little girl. Your emotional intelligence continues to amaze and astound us...as you grasp concepts way beyond your years. If I was a girl I would be proud to count you among my friends--you are loyal and flexible and creative and generous. Perhaps that is why included in your birthday gifts this year you received one half of a "best friends" charm--you seem to have inherited your Papa's ability to hold on to dear friends and my ability to make new ones. We love to watch you engaged in imaginative play with other kids. You are a fun contributor to any group, and we know your gift of including others, compromising and thinking outside the box make you a valuable addition to any team.

We have watched you work to do things that are hard for you--like performing in your Chorus Concert and most recently doing your Ballet Show. You are not really one for the spotlight, and it takes a lot of mental work for you to bravely work through your fears and go through with it. You love both singing and dancing and it is fun to see you progress in these things.

These last few months have been a time of change for you--we can see you growing up...wanting to spend some time alone, fully engaged and singing to yourself while you work on your amazing creations. You enjoy doing your doll's hair, sewing, and creating things out of paper and other materials. We love all your creative projects--like the Book of Nut Jokes, the Heart Bingo you made for our Valentine's Day Party, all sorts of games and cards and props you make for pretend play, forts, 3-D dollhouse furniture and things for the Playmobil figures, leashes and fishing poles and doll clothes. Most recently you have begun sewing and you always add cool details, like pockets on the outside of your tote bag. There is no doubt you are gifted in spatial orientation and the creative arts. Like I would have sewn the sleeves of your Monk's Robe together had you not called my attention to this fact at the last moment, and I am 36 and you are 8!

So we were glad this year to have your birthday at The American Girl Doll Place in New York. It was what you really wanted and turned out to be quite fun to just have you and 2 friends (and your dolls of course) for a special, fancy lunch in the cafe. It feels like a big change from the past to have a small celebration that is all about you and a few special friends. I loved listening to the three of you chatting...asking questions (from the little box on the table) to each other for fun and watching you occasionally "feed" your dolls (who were, by the way, sitting in their special chairs beside you in front of doll sized cups and plates).
New York has been an adventure that you seem to have taken to rather well. You seem to appreciate the cultural and artistic offerings here and you have done a great job of navigating the loss of the world we left behind in Oregon and looking brightly toward what we have in front of us at the moment. Frequently, by the way, when our family walks down the street, you are the only one of the 4 of us that looks like you actually belong here. Your sense of style must have come from some other branch of our family tree--you manage to be sophisticated at age 8 and you look as comfortable negotiating exclusive boutiques as you are running wild in the park making fairy houses.
So here is to a wonderful year ahead for you--as your role in the family changes yet again (another sibling that you will have to suffer through!), and as you take on more independence, more work academically and continue to discover and define yourself. We are grateful to share your journey and be a witness to the lovely person you are.
Love,
Mom and Dad
PS A cool link about things you should do before turning 8.