Letters to our Children: Cinderella

Dear Sydney,

November is here and I am having so much fun watching you admire the trees as their leaves turn to the most beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. Some are so bright they almost glow! Within just the last couple of weeks it has turned so much colder that the leaves are shedding and many of our trees are now "naked" as you like to say. We had so much fun playing in the many leaves that fell from our neighbors' tree. You and Gavin raked them up (with my help) and jumped in the pile! A friend raked a "track" in the leaves and you both loved racing on the track and jumping in the pile at the end. Even when you two were helping Dad rake them all up to put in a trash bag, you still had fun. It took a little bit longer than it probably should have, but fun was had and memories were made. The excitement that you and Gavin have shown for this beautiful time of year is enough to make it anyone's favorite season. In fact, just the other day you declared "fall" your most favorite season!

You and I did something pretty special together just a few days ago. The university here in town put on a showing of Cinderella! I'm so glad that my friend brought it to my attention and arranged our tickets/seats, etc. We snuck out Sunday afternoon, just you and me, and enjoyed a couple of magical hours. About twenty minutes in to the show, you turned around and gave me the biggest hug and whispered "I am so glad that you brought me." This was followed up throughout the rest of the show with multiple "thank yous" and "I love it!" along with many gasps of amazement and excitement. It was magical seeing you love it so much and I am so glad we got to have that time together! It isn't often that it's just the two big girls, so hopefully as Avery gets older we can do some of these things more and more.

Cinderella! You loved every minute of it!

Mom and Sydney

You were so excited to meet "Cinderella" and the "Prince"!

What a special afternoon we had. I am so grateful that we got to sneak away and enjoy this together.Every day I am amazed at how you are growing up right before my very eyes! We are so proud of the little person that you are and are becoming. I love you!

Mom