Thank you Mo'Ne Davis, or why not every girl wants to be a princess and that's okay.

My daughter, Moira is not a princess.

She is not into pink. 

She does not like dresses. 

She prefers sports, jerseys, and cleats to ballet, tutus and party shoes. 

She is a sporty girl. 

When I ask her what that means, she describes herself as "a girl that likes sports, you know, mommy? I like to play soccer and softball and wear my hat backwards. Oh, and I like to wear my comfy shorts. I like nike."

If I inquire about dresses, the response has been conditioned: 

"Only on Sundays, the first day of school, and when you make me."

I believe that her definition of a sporty girl is not that different than most young boys and girls.

However when I google sporty girls - this is what comes up:

 

Somewhere things have gotten all mixed up. 

I'm not seeing any comfy shorts, or hats backwards. I also find it incredibly improbable that the girl in the string bikini exposing portions of her breast could play a game of soccer or basketball in that attire. 

 How has the definition of sporty girl diverged so much between my 6 year old and google?

I don't get it and neither should you.

This is a sporty girl

This is a sporty girl. 

This is a sporty girl.

This is a sporty girl. 

source 

Last night, my Mo watched this Mo pitch to a bunch a boys in the middle of central Pennsylvania. 

Doesn't sound like a big deal until it is taken into a account that this Mo, Mo'ne Davis wasn't just tossing a ball to a few friends. This  was the Little League World Series televised on ESPN. As she blanked the team from Tennessee in her first appearance of the tournament, I could see on my child's face admiration. She found another sporty girl like her.

Thank you Mo'Ne. Thank you Abby and Serena and Missy. 

Thank you to all those strong females practicing and playing, giving my strong sporty girl the images she needs. 

While I would like to think google has it wrong, I cannot negate cybermetrics. I can only hope as more and more young girls pick up a bat, ball, or throw on cleats, our communities perception of sporty girl will change. 

Because this is a sporty girl too and she deserves a community that sees her the way she described. 

"Like Mo'Ne mom, strong and beating the boys." 

on the pitch, the field, or the pool. 

Thank you Mo'Ne from my Mo and her Mama. 

Six!

I have been MIA.

Yes, I know this.

However, there are posts floating around my brain that need to get out. I will write them.

These stories and observations and party planning successes will again make their way here.

But for today, I need to share about my supercalifragilistic six year old.

Dear Moira,

My lovie girl, my sporty girl, my first baby girl, I wonder if you know how fabulous you truly have become? 

Everyday I look at you and am mesmerized. 

You continue to amaze me as you have become a real reader. I love watching you devour a new book and when you write, I am in awe. You are smart and push yourself to learn new skills. I love that you love to learn and that you love school. 

Still the most athletic kid I know, you have the speed, agility, and strength to go far. More importantly, you have this innate drive to play. Watching you play soccer and softball, brings out not only pride but excitement. I know you are doing what you truly love. 

Your kind heart makes me realize I have done something right. You are an amazing and caring friend and wonderful big sister. (most of the time). Watching you, Maeve, and Margo play makes me so grateful you have each other. 

Finally, Mo I love that you are you. You never seem to worry about what's popular, and instead go with what interests you. I'd love it if you would let me do your hair in something other than a ponytail and I'd like you to wear a dress more, but since those are my only real complaints, I realize I'm quite blessed. 

You are filled with confidence, energy and the right amount of quirk. You are my most favorite six year old in the whole world, and I feel so lucky to be your mom. 

I love you.

Love, Mom 

Rewind, Pause, Save.

It's a rainy Sunday morning in New Jersey.

Sofia is speaking to a mermaid, Maeve sits mesmorized, while Mo's fingers slide photos on the new family Ipad of the year that has passed.

This year, the year 2013, the year our family became a fearless fivesome has made some fabulous memories. This moment right now gives me a much needed minute to stop, to look back, and to see what the hell we did this year, because I must confess, frankly it's been a blur.

So, I'll steer clear of my usual flow and overly wordy prose, and instead let the pictures tell the story.

A Year In Photos 2013

 What a fun filled year!

The End

And so it happened.

Some how. Some way. Even though I tried with all my might to prevent it.  September is here.

I have never minded turning another year older. I've never been one to lie or hide my age. While thirty five seemed old when I was in high school, now it's nothing. Thirty five? Wow!

Usually I am up to celebrate, preferably with a yummy cake and lots of presents. I'll admit, I like being the center of attention. Sing to me at restaurant if you must. Scribble your name on a card. Even hand me some birthday balloons, and I'll gladly accept.

Happy Birthday to me!

However, this year, the thought of my birthday brings a little pit in my stomach. My birthday has always been the signal that summer is coming to an end. The time to prepare for back to school.

For nearly eight years, I spent my birthday getting my own classroom together. I'd still get those butterflies the few days g before. The anticipation, the excitement coupled with a small dose of worry over the pending school year would come to a fever pitch that first day.

Would there be any issues?
Would I be able to reach them all?
Would they learn?
Would they have fun?

That first morning, I would get into the school extra early. Adjusting my new outfit, ensuring desks were in perfect rows, pencils were sharpened, and the date meticulously written. Texts, workbooks, folders, crayons, glue sticks all brand new waiting for their owners.

The little bodies would meet me in the front of the school. Lined up ready to go, as parents stood along side. Wiping away stray tears, waving good bye feverishly as they shouted wishes of love and luck to their wide eyed children as they parade down the hall to their new classroom.

There's nothing quite like that first day of school!

Now, it's been some five years since my last first day. I'm now experiencing those jitters as I'm on the opposite side.

How did this ever happen?

On Wednesday morning, she will wake up extra early and adjust her new outfit. She will check and recheck her tote bag, ensuring it is filled with the new folders, crayons, scissors, and glue sticks her teacher has requested.

The excitement and energy will pulsate through our home as we ready Moira for her first day of Kindergarten. Amid anxiety, I will force her to eat breakfast as I choke back my own tears as we head off to school.

Instead of walking down the hall to meet my own class, I'll be on that other side.  Her teacher will emerge, as Moira joins in with her peers leaving me waving furiously goodbye. I will watch her disappear into elementary school, placing all my faith in her teacher.

I'll be left questioning:
Will there be any issues?
Will her teacher be able to reach her?
Will she learn?
Will she have fun?

How did we get here already?

Being on that other end, has given me a unique opportunity. I already know what magic is in store in the Kindergarten classroom. This June, she will be a totally different creature. It is inevitable as she will have grown and learned so much. Knowing this, I am so happy for Moira, but I can't help but inhale a bit deeper as I think about how quickly these five years have flown by.

So, Happy Birthday to me! This year amid the cake and presents, I'm hoping to savor these next few hours. While my birthday may be over, we still have one day of Summer vacation left, and then

Kindergarten, here Moira comes!

Five

1826 days ago my life changed forever.

It's hard to even remember what my life was like before.

In one day, one major moment, my life, my world changed forever.

Five years ago, April 1, 2008 Moira made her grand entrance into this world. For the long story, click here, while here is the short sweet story.

This face changed it all.

My first born, my dearest sweetest Lovie Girl. 

Confident does not describe her. I truly wish I could bottle up and sell the belief she has in herself. She knows she is faster, stronger, and smarter. No one can tell her differently. 

From that moment she took those first steps just short of nine months old, she has never stopped moving. Kicking a soccer ball. Running laps around the front yard. Hitting the wiffle ball across the lawn. Her athleticism already evident. 

When pregnant with Margo, we again decided to refrain from finding out the sex. Person after person asked if we were trying for the boy for Bryan. The answer was no. We don't need a boy. 

We have Mo. 

I mean that in the nicest possible way. We don't need a boy because all those things traditionally associated with a boy are her favorites. 

Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and without pause, she responds "A runner girl". Her favorite attire: jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers...well...actually...super fast running shoes. Her best friend asked her mom why Mo doesn't like dresses. Mo's response, "I only wear dresses on the first day of school. the last day of school, and for Church".  

She chooses the Phillies and the Union over Princesses and dolls....most of the time. She loves music, playing with her guitar and ukulele. She loves to sing duets with Maeve, usually drawing from Mumford & Sons or Of Monsters and Men. 

She's easy going, gets along with everyone and seems to have inherited her quirky personality from her mother. She has no problem meeting new people. 

She excels in math already and has begun trying to spell and write. She loves school and can't wait for Kindergarten. 

She's funny, silly, and happy and I feel so lucky I get to be her mommy!

And now, let the party planning commence!