Dear Little G,

Age is a sneaky thing which is why I'm guessing its so hard for me to believe that I am 40 and you are nine.

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago when I said to your dad during church, "I think I'm in labor. Contractions are seven minutes apart." You were two weeks early and we were both kind of relieved that we didn't have to stay for that church pot luck/congregational meeting.

Flash forward and here we are nine years later and I'm about to write some annual life lessons down for you. It's my hope that one day, you look back on them with a smile and maybe a knowing nod.

It's important to remember that effort matters. If you're gonna do a half assed job, you're gonna get half assed results. If the project is worth your time, it is worth your effort.

Always be carefree. I love the fact that you're not afraid to wear a birthday crown or dance when the music moves you. Sometimes as we grow older, we forget the importance of fun. We forget to laugh at ourselves. We forget how to dance. Don't let that happen to you.

Step outside of your comfort zones. I hate sports but I'm playing against the Harlem Wizards in a PTO event because a friend asked me to. Will I likely embarrass myself and laugh about it for years to come? Without a doubt. But those are the little things that make life fun. The moments where you can say, "Remember when...." Don't miss out on a remember when.

Follow your passion. I know what your thinking and it's true. I never sat in my third grade class and wrote down, "When I grow up, I wanna be a lunchlady". I'm sure none of your classmates did either. But here's what I know, I always wanted to work somewhere where I had a lot of fun, I always wanted to work somewhere where my coworkers and my boss were more like my friends, I always wanted to work somewhere where when I woke up I thought "I get to go to work today" instead of "I have to go to work today". Here's hoping that whatever you become you wake up thinking "I get to" instead of "I have to".

Be yourself. No matter where you're at or who your with, be true to yourself.

Your number one fan,

Mommy

Dear Little G,

Third grader, already!  This year marks a few first as well as a few lasts.  It's the first year since kindergarten that you've had a different teacher.  It's the first year that you'll take the state standardized test.  It's the first year that you won't ride with me to school in the morning.  It's just too early to drag you in there.  It's nearly too early for me.

It's the LAST year that you will be in the same building as me.  It is the last year that you will be considered an elementary student.  It's the last year that I'll know all the kiddos in your class.

As you embark on this great adventure, here are a few things to remember.

• Speak Up.  There is no such thing as a stupid question. If you are confused, tell someone.  If your feelings are hurt, speak up.  If you need something, raise your hand.  Help is never given to those who fail to ask.
• Perfect is not a realistic goal.  I realize that our own government expects all students to be perfect in 2014, but listen to your mama.  "Perfect is not possible."  All you can do is your best.  Often that means that someone will be better.  That doesn't mean your best isn't good enough.
• The more you read, the more you know.  This isn't just a Dr. Seuss quote, it's actually true.  The more you read, the more you absorb and the more you absorb, well the more you know. 
• Always be yourself.  I think we forget this as we age.  Right now, you have no problem being yourself and I hope that never changes.  But sometimes, I realize that it might be hard to believe, but sometimes we change because we think others will like us.  If only, I were _______ (faster, better at sports, smarter) then so and so would like me.  That statement couldn't be farther from the truth.  BE YOURSELF NO MATTER WHOM YOU ARE WITH.
• Call me Mommy.  Your the last of my children to still call me mommy.  The girls have already slipped into the mom phase.  While I am enjoying watching you grow, I also relish in the simplicity of "mommy" (at least for a little while longer).

Enjoy all that you can about third grade.  It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Love,

Mommy