4. Write a blog post inspired by the word: complete.
On Sunday I said Happy Birthday to the girl who is easily distracted by a squirrel in the middle of an important conversation. Fourteen snuck in quietly. I have seen it peeking through all year long in its reluctance to smile for pictures, it’s obsession with its phone and it’s refusal to let me sit in my own chair at a volleyball tournament on Mother’s Day. Fourteen walks in the door after school, tops a chai tea with more whip cream you might think could fit in a mug and plops herself on the couch for a binge session on Netflix. Fourteen calls me instantly when I text her a message that I’ve arrived at the gym a little early and might as well go sit next to her to watch the last quarter of the boys basketball game with her and her friends. Fourteen begs me to stay in the car.
I’ve been calling Laina 14 for at least six months now and even though she has corrected me every time, “mom I’m 13!!” I still can’t shake that she hasn’t at all felt 13 to me this year. Definitely 14. So this year should come easy seeing as I already have 14 down pat. Unless she decides to start acting 15. That’s a jump I’m not ready for…I already have one of those!
Laina is the kid in the family I call for when I need a favor because she is the most likely to help me quickly and without complaining. She’s the only child who somehow managed to get pegged with a daily chore and has been stuck feeding our dogs every night purely because she likes them the most. She makes me laugh with her YouTube personality impressions and then worry slightly when she forgets what country we live in and how many states it has. I feel a little better when she still manages to come home with A’s and B’s on her report card even though I’ve never once followed up on her homework. I’m so grateful for my middle child. Our family would not be complete without this little light.
You turned three.
You turned four.
You turned five.
You turned six.
You turned seven.
You turned eight.
You turned nine.
You turned ten.
You turned eleven.
You turned twelve.
You turned thirteen.
John Holton says
Happy birthday to Laina! Usually the middle kid is the most trouble (according to “experts”), but she seems like the least. Cherish that…
Mama Kat says
My family jokes that I have that Middle Child Syndrome. She’s not the most trouble at all (ahem Kainoaaaaa), BUT she is so easy that she tends to get overlooked. That’s the part that will land her in therapy 20 years from now! ;)