She's 13!

Olivia turned 13 on June 2nd.  We could not be more proud of the young lady she is growing into.  As I do every year, I'm going to share 13 things about my sweet, smart beautiful daughter.  Heck if a mama bear can't brag about her cub, who can, so humor me for a moment!  

1. Olivia's 7th grade year has been remarkable!  Honor Roll - awesome grades, teacher kudos' with letters home to us saying what a bright and respectful young lady she is, asked to accompany her teachers on a European Student Leadership trip to Germany and Italy in 2017, winner of the 3rd quarter Perseverance Impact Award, and accepted into the 10th congressional young leaders program. She has just excelled this year and we are so proud of her! 

2. She has found a passion in competitive dance.  She is on the Creative Dance Center competitive dance team and just loves it.  When I pick her up from practice she has so much energy and has a huge smile on her face.  So unlike how gymnastics used to be.  I'm glad she has found a sport she loves and her team is so awesome and supportive.

3. She is a 'late bloomer'.  Sometimes this is a cause of stress for her, more in the area that she wants to dress in the cool styles - she has a hard time finding clothes in the 'cooler' stores that fit her.  I keep reminding her that she is growing at exactly the rate that was intended and all will even out in a few years.  She is also not to happy that she's usually the shortest in her class.

4. She has a very independent personality.  She is not one to go along with the crowd.  I hate to say it, but I wouldn't want to cross her path if I did her wrong - lol - she may be tiny, but she is mighty. 

5. She loves quotes.  Just like her mother. She has a notebook that she keeps full of her favorite ones. 

6. She likes her down time to just chill ... she doesn't always have to have a 'band' playing.

7. She has a very sweet and sensitive soul.  She is very kind and there has been many examples this year of her telling me about helping a special needs child at school or talking to someone who seemed down.  She notices those in need and it tugs on her heart strings.  

8. She is not a big talker and sometimes people perceive her as being shy, but she really isn't.  She just has a more introverted nature.  Despite this, she excels in public speaking.  She loves it and doesn't get nervous at all. She spoke at her Nanny's funeral last year and I was so proud of her.  She was so eloquent and poised.

9. She makes her bed every morning without me asking her to do so, but still leaves wet towels on the bathroom floor - ugh!  She loves to organize her room.

10.  She still loves hanging with mom and dad, which I'm so grateful for because I know our time is limited before she's off to college and on with her own life.

11. She loves crafting and making things.  She's currently into sewing and making home made lotions, sugar scrubs and lip balms. 

12. She is self-assured and confident. Of course she has her moments as any middle schooler would, but day in and day out she goes through life with her head held high. 

13.  She is a comedian. She is always making us laugh and doing funny things.