Once upon a time I had a baby girl. Then I had a toddler and a big sister. Then she was starting preschool and before I knew it, kindergarten.
And now she’s 15.
15 was such a big year for me — the beginning of HS and on the doorstep of freedom. I remember the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school and how we went to the beach almost every day. And NONE of us could drive yet. So our parents would drive us to the beach and then be on call for when we were ready to be picked up. I think about that a lot as I am now a full-time personal chauffeur for my kids.
But driver’s ed is right around the corner and that means my duties in this area will soon be retired…which doesn’t even seem possible. From a little kindergartener skipping on her way into school to a high school freshman staying up late working on homework, putting in extra hours for her sports, and planning for her future…we’ve come a long way.
Here’s the “Year of E” in pictures, quotes, and memories. But first, today, on her birthday, she is celebrating by competing at the High School Synchro State Meet — her third straight appearance and her third year of eligibility. Each year she has competed she’s made the podium in her events. One of last year’s highlights is receiving her first ‘8’ in competition. Here she is last year in her solo.
In the spring she said good bye to the middle school life and hello to the high life…high school that is. In honor of finishing up her middle school career with the friends she started with, we had fun posing in a picture to match an early in 6th grade moment.. Of course the mom’s had to get in on it, too.
With the start of HS comes some new things…like Homecoming and a letter jacket! She also went to Zones for the first time in her club synchro season which involved us traveling to Wisconsin…a place we never get to.
First year of high school also brought the first season of HS Tennis. She had a great season, playing both singles and doubles (while preferring doubles) AND got to play in a fundraising tournament with her dad, a retired tennis player.
This year there have been moments of supreme sweetness from E. For example, we went to the MOA for a spring break “mini” adventure day and at one point I asked her if she was having fun while we were at Sea Life and she responded by saying, “I’ve having fun seeing how much fun you are having.”
She also likes to just come upstairs and chat with me. I love our time together whether we’re talking about things going on in school, pop culture, synchro, or what songs she really wants me to listen to because she thinks I’ll love them.
She also texted me recently, checking in on me. It was both incredibly endearing…and hilarious.
E: Are you ok? You seem sad. I just wanted to check.
Me: Oh! Yes, I’m good. Thank you for asking, that’s sweet. But I’m good!
E: Ok. Well you liked my text instead of “hearting” it. And you texted without punctuation. So I wanted to check.
On the other hand, there are the “mhm” texts I get from her where I don’t know if she’s just affirming whatever I asked or giving me attitude. It’s impossible to know and usually it’s both of those things.
E loves all kinds of music and especially musicals so of course we took in some music events this year. Come From Away, Hadestown, Ben Platt, Pink. We love joining her in her passions!
She also had an opportunity to sing with her dad again…those are always my favorite moments.
Somehow she can even find a way to combine local sports to her love of musicals… sort of. But it is fun having a Miranda to cheer for on the Twins!
E loves her puppy — both the one we call Luna…and the one she made out of an empty soda can.
E (to Luna): You’re so soft & cuddly & adorable.
Me: You sound like you’re in pain!
E: She’s hurting me with her cuteness. She’s my fur baby!
Halloween — or really any occasion to dress up — is something E loves. Sometimes she dresses up like a favorite musical character…and sometimes she just impersonates an Gen Alpha boy.
E isn’t what we would call an “adventurous eater” — she likes what she likes and while she’ll try new things, she definitely has her favorites. Like anything sweet. And those sweets are a lot sweeter now that the braces are off. Oh, and there is a certain kind of pastrami that she prefers.
Me: Dad got you some sandwich meat.
E: I saw. But I like the normal pastrami better.
Me: …
Me: There’s pastrami in here.
E: Oh, there is? I had the new kind. I didn’t like it as much.
Me: …
Me: So you had…the roast beef?
E: It’s not pastrami?
Me: No.
E: Oh, that explains it.
Me, in my head: Yes, yes it does.
I also love that she knows how to relate to her brother, to get him jealous.
“B, I’m going to a school with vending machines now. I know it’s crazy.”
There have been a few times over the past year where she has genuinely surprised me. Either by her passion or her perspective.
Marc and I are going to Europe in late August. When we were planning our trip we realized that our dates would not allow us to go to the State Fair this year, which, if you know me, you know this is a big deal. But I knew we wanted to be back in town in time for the kids’ first days of school. So when we broke the news to the kids, I was most surprised with E’s reaction of being heartbroken we wouldn’t be going to the fair as a family. I told her if we stay in town a couple of extra days for the fair that would mean we would miss the first day of school. “Oh, that’s fine, I don’t care about that.” So our trip is officially AFTER the start of the fair so we can go as a family.
Another time was when I picked her up from synchro practice and she practically jumped into the car, bursting with pride and excitement. After asking her what was going on, she replied with, “Omg we did a stretch in synchro today that I couldn’t do completely bc my thighs have gained so much muscle they are too big! It’s so awesome!”
And then there was the time she was convinced a crossword clue was about one thing…but it was quite the opposite.
Crossword clue: “Exclamation from Homer”
E: < immediately thinks it’s referencing The Odyssey by Homer…not Homer Simpson. >
E: so like a war cry???
It wasn’t until she got the “d” & “h” did she figure it out.
E, I am so proud of the person you are. You are kind, compassionate, smart, inquisitive, funny, athletic, graceful, loving, artistic, and beautiful — inside and out. I can wait to see all the places you’re going to go.
