To my lovely, first-born, spicy, hot-blooded, extremely spirited Belle:
I think I will forever refer to 2011 as the "Year of Belle."
Hands down, this has been your year. Things are happening to you and for you, and all of your hard work is paying off. You are experiencing so many opportunities through school and sports, and life is really taking off for you.
Some of the amazing things that have happened so far this year include, being chosen to go into the City to interview Bailee Madison who was the actress in the Jennifer Aniston/Adam Sandler movie Just Go With It, after hearing your talent show song audition your teacher asked you if you wanted to skip school one day and head to Citi Field where they were holding open auditions to find potential singers for the National Anthem to be sung at a Mets game, you had your artwork displayed in the Administration building, you tried out and made the talent show, and just yesterday, you received an award in front of the whole school for being identified as someone who has Integrity.
You are also developing quite a beautiful singing voice and have progressed from never having performed in front of anyone, to the next week performing in front of all the teachers at school and then to a room full of people including so many photographers at Citi Field.
Your courage and fearlessness blow my mind.
I feel like there is nothing you can't do. And just when I think you might be headed for a difficult situation you always rise above.
"Don't sleep on Belle." That has become me and Dad's new catch phrase.
And in sports, you are excelling beyond our wildest dreams. You are so adept on the soccer and lacrosse fields. Just this past weekend, your lacrosse coach recommended that you try out for a lacrosse club team that is one of the best on Long Island and your soccer coach, sent Mom and Dad the following note:
Drew/Sadie:
The team played a great game today against a higher ranked team. Belle, as usual, contributed greatly to it. I can put her anywhere and she will do a great job. I know she wants to play up top more and we want to get her there. She is one of the only instinctive shooters on the team, and has unloaded with both feet at different times. We have a surplus of forwards at the moment and have been leaning on Maya, Belle, and Daniela to anchor us on defense. Walter and I will train up more defenders to free up those three to roam more. Belle covers a quarter of the field like a blanket, and slides into overlap Maya instinctively. Please tell her how well I think she did, and that her desire to play more offense is a good idea. It will be incremental but we'll get there. We need depth at defense too.
Thanks,
Coach
I was so proud of you when I read this note and to hear someone else talk about your child and their abilities the way your coach did, really struck me.
The transition to our new town from the City was not an easy one for you. Last year had its challenges and there were many, but not only have you overcome them, you have excelled beyond our loftiest expectations. You continually amaze me.
Holy Lord, do you have the BIGGEST mouth ever and the way you talk back to us could become an olympic sport, but oh my goodness I am so, so impressed with who you are and where you are going and am so very blessed to call you my own.
Love always,
Mama
