Aubrey is TEN!

Our Monkey is TEN!  I said TEN, people!  Double digits.  Here she is from 9 to 10...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aubrey at TEN:

• This girl.  I can't even.  She is the best.  She is so kind and thoughtful of others.  She is very in tune with what others are feeling and what they need.  And is willing to sacrifice her wants for the needs of others.  I sometimes think this is a trait that isn't necessarily valued nowadays.  Everyone wants their girls/kids to be assertive and go after what they want at any cost.  While I do see the value in that personality as well, I'm so proud of Aubrey that she doesn't always think of herself.  (I also hope she'll be able to go after what she wants and needs as well.)  But I hope she always keeps that thoughtfulness about her.
• I can't talk about Aubrey without mentioning what a good sister she is!!  I mean, the best.  She plays so well with both Charlotte and Carson, and just takes care of them and looks out for them.  She is definitely the peace maker in our house.  (I thought that was supposed to be the middle child?!)  Her siblings adore her, especially Charlotte, and they all have fun and get along when Aubrey's around.
• She loves to sleep!  (I have no idea where she gets that from...)  She looks forward to sleeping in on the weekends, and is NOT happy if she can't for some reason. 
• She is a great student.  She is driven and works hard.  She's very responsible, and takes her school work very seriously.  Her teachers love her!
• She is an over-thinker.  (Again, I have no idea where she gets this from.)  She over plans and over thinks the smallest things.  This sometimes results in not getting the things she's planned actually done, but she always has really good plans!
• She still loves to read!  She flies through books, and will often stay up too late at night reading.  She gets so into her books.
• She is kind of a social butterfly.  She can still be shy about meeting new friends, but loves to hang out with her few good friends.  I do think she has come out of her shell some, and I hope she continues to let people get to know her.
• I think she has decided to take a break from soccer.  She has enjoyed playing for the last 6 years, but I think she might want to try something new.  She loved basketball again this year!  And I think she wants to give volleyball a try.  Fun!
• She is starting to show some signs of the teenage years to come.  She is wanting to be much more independent and is careful to avoid "childish" things.  And I've observed more than one eye-roll aimed in mine or her father's direction.  Certainly my sweet Aubrey isn't going to become an ornery teenager?! 
• Aubrey loves: sleeping in, long books, hanging out with friends, school, being a big sister, basketball, knowing everything, her long hair...except when she has to brush it, candy, lazy days, making iMovies, riding in the front seat, cracking her knuckles, any and all dessert, and her big and little family.

We love you, Monkey!  I can't believe it was TEN years ago that you were born!