joyeux anniversaire!

this is supertessa, my wonderful niece.
and today is her ninth birthday
[and by "today," i mean that it's only her birthday for the next eight minutes].

i remember the day i found out i was going to be an aunt. i never had a little sibling [even though i prayed for one every night] and i always thought having a niece or nephew would be a great substitute for that because if i got sick of being the "big sister", i could just send them home with their parents!
it's genius!

the funny thing is, though, i never get sick of the amazing tessa. ever.

here's why:
1. she is the smartest girl i know. she's way smarter than i am.
2. we were in a band called the red hot firecrackers. our one and only hit was a cover of the bangles' "manic monday".
3. she never walks... she dances everywhere.
4. she has the wildest imagination and always comes up with the craziest storylines.
5. when most little girls grew up playing house, tessa played "bomb shelter".
6. she is so caring and loving and gives the best hugs.
7. she lets me crash on her floor when i come to visit.
8. one time i babysat her and her brothers and i let her stay up WAY past her bedtime so we could finish watching enchanted and i don't think she ever told on me.
9. she is a very talented writer/author/dancer [as i mentioned earlier]/pianist/baker.
10. she's learning french.

when i first met tessa, she was a tiny, hairy, adorable, big-cheeked little alien-baby and it's been so amazing to watch her grow up into a beautiful, intelligent, talented girl. i can't wait to see what the future has in store for her. i know she will do amazing things.

but for now, she will just keep being my wonderful "little sister"-niece.

i love you so much, tessa!
happy birthday!