Zoe is 11

Zoe basking in the post dinner, post present, post pedi/mani, post movie, post all day celebration of her turning 11, but pre-cake ending. I think she had an awesome day hanging out with her family and her bff by the end of the night. She had the chance to go tubing all day today with friends from church and she chose to hang out with us. This might be the last year that she makes that choice. I am honored that she chose us. We had a wonderful day of bonding and fun. She isn't my baby anymore. She isn't a little girl either. Yet she isn't quite the teenager that she thinks that she is. She is somewhere in between. The middle ground of pre-teenland. The beginnings of hormones and swinging emotions. The yearning for lots of experiences and responsibilities but perhaps not yet the abilities to always carry those out. I hope that I can guide her well and give good counsel over these next few crucial years. She is an amazing force of nature. I can't believe that she has been entrusted to our care. So thankful.