Like a lot of aspects of life when you have a small baby, this post is slightly later than hoped.
You know what it’s like. You plan on getting something done, a tiny person has other ideas, and before you know it the thing that you had planned to do a week or so ago is still waiting to be done. It’s a kind of natural law when it comes to babies, things that need doing, and time. But, like in many other aspects of life, it’s completely better to do something late than never – especially when it’s to mark the eleventh birthday of your eldest child. When it comes to her baby brother, she would probably forgive him anything anyway. She possibly wouldn’t even mind if I didn’t get time to write such commemorative birthday marking posts until she was around thirty-five.
But Eleven. E-LEVEN? It doesn’t even sound right yet. How can the child that taught me how to be a mother be such an age already? Where did the endless days of early parenthood go? How can it be that even the earliest new born days seem like one or two years ago at the very most, her toddler years in our first real family home in South West London seem like months, and Copenhagen and beyond at times (just at times) seem like only weeks ago? But here we are…
And although she is most definitely not my Small Girl anymore, she will always be my baby (even when she’s thirty-five!). This past year hasn’t been the easiest in terms of change, both at home and at school. From the usual transitional nature of Expat friendships that saw her lose two really close friends to new countries, the rather turbulent arrival of a new sibling, and the prospect of leaving Primary School in what is (when you think about it) only a few weeks time. Then there’s the fact that we are going through a “crystal ball would be nice” phase when we try to work out where we will be going next, and yet despite it all, she takes everything in her stride – which is more than her mother does at times, believe me.
A little note to her directly, as has been the tradition in previous years…
My lovely girl, I am so proud of you. Although from time to time we might catch glimpses of the traditional teenage mother and daughter spats to come, I hope they remain few and far between. You are too funny to remain cross with for long whatever the situation anyway. You are kind and compassionate, fiercely loyal to those you love, and always passionate about fairness in an often sad and unjust world. You want to make a difference. I am sure you will.
As I was leaving school last week I noticed a poster glued firmly to the front of your locker, underneath your name you had written “Future Prime Minister of England”. While it made me laugh at something so typically you, if you achieve your ambition my sweet, the world will truly be a better place.
No-one’s too old for Owl Cakes…
Victoria says
The night she arrived is fresh in my mind still! Times flown!xxx
Emma says
I don’t think I could ever forget it! :) xxx
Charly Dove says
What a wonderful post Emma. It’s scary how fast they grow up isn’t it. POD is five now but it doesn’t seem 5 minutes since she was a toddler. She’ll be eleven soon!!! I hope she had a wonderful birthday and I just love the owl cakes!
Emma says
Thanks so much Charly! (:
Helen @actuallymummy says
Gosh she sounds so much like my eleven year old. The need for fairness drives her insane sometimes! Apparently it’s a Libra thing, if you believe in horoscopes! I think eleven is lovely. I can just see a little bit of who she is going to become, and yet she’s still young enough to love me pretty much unconditionally. I don’t think it gets any better than eleven :)
Emma says
I think they would get on very well! Thanks Helen x
Sarah@The View From the Table says
Happy birthday! (and congratulations Emma, too)!! Time really does fly, these birthdays come a little too quick for my liking x
Emma says
I remember when the 11 year old was a tiny baby, and a family friend told me to “enjoy this time as she will be big before you know it”. Now sadly I know how true that is… x
Grace says
A lovely post for a very special girl. x
Emma says
Thanks Mum x
Mari says
What a beautiful post. 11 is light years away from my older two who will be celebrating 28 and 25 this year and seems way off from the twins who will reach 8 this year but we both know the years will fly by.
I love that she has ‘Future Prime minister of England’ on her locker. I sincerely hope she is.
Emma says
Thanks Mari xx
Sonia says
She sounds like a lovely girl, I hope she had a very happy 11th birthday. I’d love one of those owl cakes :O)
Emma says
Thanks so much Sonia! (:
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says
What an great ambition. Sounds as though she’s becoming a strong woman throughout all the transition. And well done you on writing the birthday post – I haven’t always managed it with my two, and I don’t have a newborn as an excuse!
Emma says
Thanks so much Nell! (:
Emma says
Happy Eleventh Birthday to your gorgeous girl! Time goes far too fast doesn’t it?
I love the owl cupcakes too. xx
Emma says
Thanks so much Emma. It goes just too quickly for my liking. x
Erica Price says
Hope she had a lovely birthday. I agree on the owl cakes – they look fab.
Emma says
Thanks Erica! (:
oana79 says
Such a lovely tribute to your eldest, she sounds a delight and a trail blazer, hope she achieves everything she dreams of!xx
Emma says
Thanks so much Oana! xx
Anne says
A very happy 11th birthday to your daughter, she sounds delightful. 11 is such a lovely age, not quite teenager but more independent. Enjoy x
Emma says
I am enjoying it so far! Thanks Anne! (:
Jen says
Happy 11th birthday to the future Prime Minster of England. Maxi turns 11 in a few weeks, I can not believe it!
Emma says
It goes too fast doesn’t it? Thanks Jen!
Kara says
Happy Birthday to her, hope she had an amazing day. I still cannot believe I am a mother to a 22 year old! Love the owl cakes!
Emma says
Thanks Kara! (:
Liz Burton says
Your daughter sounds like a top girl! You’ve done good.
Happy birthday! x
Emma says
Thank you lovely x
anthea says
oh, gosh your post made me cry. My eldest is 11 this year and I too watch her with a happy sad face. As much as I love watching her grow into a young woman it saddens me that her childhood is moving past so fast
Emma says
Sorry Anthea – it’s definitely bitter sweet isn’t it?
Kizzy says
I know, my eldest turned fifteen yesterday and my little miss ten today. Time really does fly by
Emma says
Too quickly… Thanks Kizzy
Cass@frugalfamily says
It really is scary how quickly they grow up isn’t it.
My baby boy is 11 in a month and I really don’t want it to happen – 11 seems a lot older than 10 in my head ;-)
Emma says
It really does seem much older than 10 doesn’t it?
Donna says
They grow up so fast but it’s wonderful to see their characters coming out.
Emma says
Thanks Donna. So true…
Michelle Twin Mum says
I love the fact your girl is aspiring to be the future PM, good for her. Mich x
Emma says
She has her sights set high! Thanks Mich x
KV says
Well what a beautiful post. So moving. Happy Belated Birthday Elevener.
(When I read the title I honestly thought it was going to be about the voice activated lift and the Scots!)
Emma says
Aw thank you K xxx
angela hamilton says
I want owl cake!!!!!
My son is 6 and daughter is 3 (4 in April) and I say “you will always be my babies even when you are 40” my son hugs me and my daughter will say “I am not a baby mum” lol
Emma says
My Mum still says that to me! :D Thanks Angela! :)
Midlife Singlemum says
Eleven has a real frontier feeling about it. There’s nothing ‘little child’ about eleven and yet not quite a teenager. wishing your daughter a happy birthday and looking forward to hearing how eleven pans out. xx
Emma says
Thanks so much Rachel! (:
Krista says
Love the poster she hung up. :-) That is brilliant.
Emma says
Thank you Krista! (: