Last week, we got invited to a homeschool rollerskating event. It was open to all ages, but aimed at tweens/preteens aged 9-14. And that’s when it hit Sugarplum: on her 9th birthday today, she’s a tween now!
It came up on us pretty unexpectedly because while Honeybun started showing all the pre-teen traits at around 7 years old, Sugarplum has actually gotten easier as she’s grown.
The screamy, fussy, hard-to-handle baby has become the easiest of all our children (something hubby and I often joke and shake our heads about).
She’s not grumpy and opinionated about everything like her big sister. She doesn’t cry and get upset about everything like her 6 year old brother. And she doesn’t always make the hard and ridiculous choice like her littlest brother.
She’s the one that’s been getting up early every morning, getting herself ready, and working as hard as she can at the gym for 4 hours, before coming home, doing school, and still being kind to her family.
She’s the one who is always willing to help. She’ll take out the trash. She’ll wash the dishes. She’ll clear the table. She’ll help cook dinner.
She’s the one that is always up for giving un-attitudy hugs and nice touches. When you need love and kindness, she’s the one that will give it to you for free, no strings attached.
Yet, she’s still unapologetically Sugarplum. She’s silly and has a head full of dancing unicorns. She, obviously, loves gymnastics. But she also loves reading and Greek Mythology. She likes being outside and playing and being a carefree kid.
And I’ve been waiting all these years for the attitude to show up. For her to start being grumpy and unmanageable at times as her sister is. To return to her former, fiery self.
But the reality is, Sugarplum might be the unmoodiest pre-tweenager I’ve ever known.
Here’s to hoping, fingers crossed that it’s not just a glitch and that she got all her hard years out early and continues being our sweet and helpful girl (at least for another year!)
