Nearest and Dearest: Abby

What to say about Abby? Independent, stubborn, talkative(and that's an understatement), smart as anything, social, funny, fashion diva, soft-hearted, loving, neat and the list goes on and on. Abby has been a joy to us from the moment that they placed her in our arms. She has never been laid back, she has always gone full force and this year was no different.

She is in third grade this year. This was the year that it was supposed to get harder in school. The "pivotal" year they called it. Somehow she managed to make it look effortless. She cheered three nights a week from the beginning of school until November, went straight into a competitive cheerleading team from November until the first week of April, was involved in Brownies, was accepted into and started in the gifted program, played a spring season of soccer, had multiple sleepovers, parties and playdates and never missed an academic beat. How I wish I had her energy and her smarts. Her name means, "my father's joy" but she is definitely our joy.

It's hard to imagine that the tiny baby that they placed in my arms is now almost 9 years old and headed into the 4th grade. She is now part of the older kids in elementary school and she couldn't be more excited. This year was the year that I saw the first rumbling's of girl drama but Abby really held it to a minimum. I am thankful that for all of the faults that she may have, she is is kind-hearted child. She goes out of her way to include those less popular and always has a hello and a kind word for everyone.

Her week was filled with class parties and award ceremonies. Somehow she talked me into making two batches of cupcakes, one for her gifted class and one for her regular class so that she like Maddie could celebrate her summer birthday. She even managed to fit in a playdate and a tumbling class and a sleepover in true Abby fashion. She is excited for summer and has so many summer plans that I doubt that we will accomplish them all but then again with her energy we just might!!!