Happy Birthday to my Dragon Girl!

On November 17 I stop and reflect again on my incredible good fortune. How did I get so lucky? I'm the mother of four amazing children-- but on Libby's birthday I think of how this particular child changed my life in very special ways. As my first adopted child, she gave me a second chance at parenting, and a new experience of motherhood. Since we're not biologically related, I couldn't make any of the traditional connections between her character and mine--couldn't say, "oh, she gets that from me" or "she does that just like my father." For better or worse, and I think it is much for the better, I had to see her and accept her as an indivdual. I didn't know anything about her family of origin, and it made me tune in to her individuality. It seems we are very much alike in many ways, and for this I thank the mythical red thread, and, probably, some influence from me. But I don't at all have the anxiety-laden, guilt-provoking sense that I alone have some kind of all-mighty power over and responsibility for her character and future that I felt with my bio kids. I think I'm a much more relaxed parent--I can enjoy and delight in and respond to Libby without the baggage that I carried when I was hyper-parenting The Boy and The Girl.

Of course, some might say I have swung too far in the opposite direction!

Here are some of the things I love about Libby at 8 years old:
1. She is the only one in the family who can operate the TV and cable box expertly.
2. I love to watch her riding her bike or scooter--her physical daring and love of movement (that drives me crazy indoors!) is beautiful to watch outdoors!
3. When she is upset, she makes an adorable face. Her chin goes up, and her lips pout. I feel sympathy for her feelings, but am flooded with love for her cuteness.
4. She is sensible, and reasonable. When I said we couldn't get a new cat, because I can't afford shots, and the cat could potentially make the cats we already have sick, she pointed out that since the cats in residence have all their shots, that couldn't happen. Duh. Oh right. This sort of thing happens often.
5. She gets excited about things, and her enthusiasm is infectious!

Boo!

Halloween night was perfect--the weather was so beautiful that all the kids on the street stayed out late riding bikes and scooters. I sat outside and watched--it was a cute sight, seeing them playing in the dark in their costumes! These pictures are from the end of a LONG night of trick or treating--they went with their friend and her mom, and went to all the streets around ours, so it was quite a hike and quite a haul! Despite their exhausted, disappated appearances, they had fun!