Oh man! Where do I start ? You have matured so very much this year, it’s hard to put into words. I consider you more of a teen than a tween! You are in 5th grade this year and very close with Marilyn, Sanvi, and Propti at school. At home you enjoy spending your time with your church friends- Reha and Rebecca. You are a good friend and everyone admires you! You are a good student! Your teacher, Mrs. Lachel, thinks very highly of you and always sings your praises. You just finished a big BizTown educational experience in which you decided on a career you’d enjoy, interviewed for jobs and then carried out a full day of assigned duty. You were interested in being a TV anchor or a TV director. You were chosen as director and you fit the role well! You were disappointed at first because you wanted to be on TV. But you came to me afterwards with the silver lining…. you were in charge of all those people on TV— what could be better than that? You are definitely a leader— this aspect of your personality has not changed much. But you are less bossy and lead more by example or suggestion these days. You are already highly concerned that most of the gals in your Sunday class will graduate to YW 6 months prior to you! What will you do?? The only 11 year old girl in primary for the primary program??? Heaven help us!
But on that note, you are mostly level-headed and not dramatic in the day to day. You save the drama for the theatre, which you are a HUGE fan of! This year we saw Phantom of the Opera and though you were a little scared, you loved the music. After seeing the show, the idea of opera singing both bothered and disinterested you… but as the week went on, you began practicing in your opera voice and now you are a huge fan. Singing and acting are your favorite pastimes. This year you played the Little Red Headed Girl in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. You also played Ariel in “The Little Mermaid!” Evelyn… you were SO good in these plays! It was so much fun!!! Piano is another talent of yours.… however, this is not a favorite activity for you! As gifted as you are, you have trouble reading music in the left hand; this makes practicing a challenge; one that you never let mom forget! I pray you will stick with it because you are nothing short of amazing on the piano and in voice. I admire and respect your talents and am pretty much blown away by all that you can do. This year you began playing the violin in the school band. You are enjoying this as well! You also bought a guitar with your own money and have weeks here and there in which you attempt to learn chords and songs— not a high priority yet because it is a bit challenging.
Another hobby/talent you possess is crafting. Our Saturdays are pretty busy in the Marston household! We are all over the place with soccer games. You are now old enough that you opt out of EVERY game and attend maybe just one. Many mornings you wake up with a “plan”. You have the materials all listed out; you gather your supplies and get to work on a new idea. You have created wooden dolls, crocheted shawls, mittens, felt book marks, flowers. You are quite a creative person and it is so fun to watch you carry out your ideas.
You are a wonderful big sister most of the time. Ha! You adore your little sister and you take very good care of her. You are without a doubt, the apple of her eye. She absolutely loves you more than words can say! You play pretend with her, read to her, do her hair, dress her up. She is so lucky to have you! You are less patient with the boys, but you are working towards being more loving!! It’s not easy, when pesky little brothers tease! You are a loving daughter…. you try your best to get to your homework and piano practice each day with few reminders. You are working towards being more helpful! When you are in the mood to help, you amaze me with your kindness! You also amaze me with your darling sense of humor. You are a hoot and your humor is top notch. You love being around funny people— just like your mama! Humor is very important to you!
You are a little fashionista! You adore shopping and putting together outfits. You notice what others are wearing (including me!) You give great tips! The outfits you assemble are darling! You think of pieces you need and ask for them for your birthday— you have in mind how you will use each piece. You always look wonderful! You are such a beauty but unfortunately, you’ve decided (after seeing your eyelashes all done up for a performance) that you need mascara because your lashes are too light and cannot be seen. Oh boy! Have we gone through the motions SO MANY times! There is absolutely no way you can wear mascara until you are 12…. but you are just so insistent and concerned! You are trying to grow up way too fast for this poor mama! And obviously you don’t believe me when I tell you how beautiful you are sans makeup. And on that note, you are equally obsessed with acquiring a phone. Everyone has one! You are the only one who doesn’t! I tell you these things so that one day when you are a mom, you will get a kick out of all the hysterics you put me through! And of course I wouldn’t have it any other way. You are one in a million! Sure, you want to grow up and be independent. But that’s just who you are! You are ahead of the curve in every way. You think deeper, plan more intensely, try harder, then most people I know—even adults! So, it makes sense you are a bit of a challenge to parent. You know what you want and it’s hard to take tips/advice from mom and a dad. Even with all the skills, leadership, talents and gung-ho attitude… you want first and foremost to be a mother when you grow up. In fact, you have that all planned out too— every last detail. You’ve decided the career for you is that of graphic design so that you can work from home— making millions with your designs, mind you— and also have the time/energy to take care of your little family. You are such a unique and amazing person, Evelyn. We are all so grateful for you and glad you are the big sis in our family.
