Emma is 9 today! It's been a wild ride and I fully accept that the next 9 will likely make these last 9 look tame. Emma will always make life more colorful.
At 9, Emma loves school and receives compliments often from her teachers: she's a great helper in the classroom, she is a definite rule follower (and wants to make sure everyone else is, too), and strives to work hard and please her teachers. We're so proud of the strong and hardworking student she has become.
Of course she's also our all-star athlete. Soccer, softball, basketball - officially - and whatever other sports she can try her hand at here or there ... she loves them all. She has become a great leader on her teams, rallying the girls when things are going well, and always, always playing hard. Watching her play brings us so much joy. She leaves it all on the field every game, and continues to be a "coachable" player, which her coaches love.
Emma continues to press all the buttons - the good ones and the not so good ones. She knows what she wants and will usually go to any lengths to get it. This doesn't always result in the most peaceful and beautiful interactions, but if ever there was a girl born to stand her ground ... it's Emma. Even when she drives me crazy, I couldn't love her more.
Happy 9th Birthday, Emma Grace. You're the best. ❤
