Ava is eleven today.  The only petite child among the seven.  Isabelle has long since grown taller, and Lucas gives her a run for her money in endeavors requiring brute force.  But her size, her long blonde hair, and her generally sweeter-than-most disposition can be deceiving.  Because, while she is gentle-mannered and kind, she is also tenacious and smart; while she might not possess much in the way of raw strength, she is fast and agile and excels in most physical endeavors; and while she is quiet and peaceable, she is also goofy and remains true to her bull-in-a-china-shop descriptor from her toddler days.

There’s a lot to love about Ava.  Her ability to craft things out of clay and cardboard is impressive.  She regularly gives me 2-3 hugs a day, more if I’m having a bad day.  She is quick-minded, clever, and has a fun sense of humor.  She has an ability to bring out the best in most people, and fills the role of peacemaker when interactions among siblings become less than peaceful.

Her interests tend most to artistic endeavors, but she also likes many areas of science and technology.  Ava often loves to be outside and has taken a greater interest in gardening the past couple years.  She has also demonstrated an aptitude for creative writing recently…perhaps borne somewhat from the dramatic increase in her reading volume.

Even though these years have flown by, and I want to push back a little bit to the reality that my baby girl is slowly – but surely – growing up, I just love the young lady that Ava is becoming, so much.  She has a heart of gold, and is a joy to be around.  I am immeasurably thankful for her.