Twelve and thriving

Portia just had a birthday.  I've been documenting her for 12 years.  That means for 12 years I've watched her grow into the most amazing human girl.  And yet, there's so much I still need to tell her.  Teach her.  Show her.

But before I forget, she left me this note this morning to find while she was at school.  Talk about killing you with kindness.

So, yeah, she turned 12.

She had a joyful weekend...

With endless sweet-tooth treats.

We were covered in red.  Red like red lips.  Red like red velvet cake.  And red like Taylor Swift's Red album (Taylor's version).

She's kind of a big dill.  I mean deal.

Her brothers would disagree.  They're jealous because she won't be joining their metal mouth club anytime soon. 

Dr. Harmer continually says she has "every dentist's dream mouth".

I mean look at that bite!

Portia is an expert in dealing with sibling rivalry.  She's club president of How To Tolerate Your Annoying Brothers. 

One way is to pretend you like sports.

Then create a sister cheer section to show fake support. 

 

On her birthday, she probably wished for two things, one, for her brothers to be dropped in the deep abyss.

 And two, for August 5 (Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour) to hurry up and come quickly.  

She LOOOOOOVES Tay Tay. The end.

Well, there's more to her than just being a Swiftie.

Portia is still a slime enthusiast and a boba-rista.

She's a mochi making aerial dancer.

She's become an ultimate white sneaker wearing valley girl...

Who loves going shopping at the mall...

Making plans to get boba or starbucks...

And then debate which Taylor Swift album will be the next Taylors Version. 

Even though she disguises herself in my glasses.

David's glasses.

Or glow-n-the-dark glasses, she never pretends to be someone she's not.  

She's my BEST sous chef.

Dylan's BEST cousin.

And Sunny's BEST friend.

She's that friend you can spill your problems to over a big bowl of gluten. 

And then share a reset day by indulging in a green meal.

She still loves taking photos with me.

No so much of me taking photos of her.

Perhaps she'll be a professional photographer.  

And I can be her muse.   

We're going to start taking girls trips together where only sandals are allowed.

  Some place where a beach chair is calling our names.  And boys can't come!

I'd be so lucky if I could become her big-me one day.  

And then she'll know how much I absolutely adore her to death.

I love you now and always until the end of time.