Dear Sophie, Soph, Sophinator, SweetPea, Lopins, Lopinsy Popinsy,
And just like that you're 11 and all finished with 5th grade. It's been another wonderful year watching you grow (both mentally and physically!) and you continue to be a sweet kind hearted person with a solid level of self-confidence that makes somewhat of an unstoppable force. I guess that's why at the recent RYSA sports awards, you were given the Kindness and Brick Wall awards! You've had another great year of soccer, and it's quickly become your go-to sport, a place of not just fitness but a place where you're able to use your strength and your intelligence, and somewhere to make some good friends (and invite Emma along the way!). We made the playoffs this year, but you had somehow tripped over air at recess and broke your fingers so you had to miss the last few games of the season. While this was tough on you, you still turned up to practice and cheered everyone on from the sidelines (I think you became the unofficial snack manager for the team!), and you've told me you're ready to come back for more in the fall. You're also interested in trying out for the school team (imagine you and Emma bossing the defense out there!) so there could a lot of soccer on your horizon. I still adore being your coach, and watching you organize the defense and stand strong against all attackers, often coming away with the ball and looking for a great pass. Long may you find joy on the soccer field.
You've continued on your "renaissance woman' trajectory, taking on as many interests as you can both in school and at home. You played basketball for the school B team this year, and while your team wasn't super successful, you had a good time with Coach Pagnotta, and I would guess that you'll sign up for it again. However, you also got involved in the school play, and the director made space for you as a stage hand which you enjoyed greatly. The play rehearsals and basketball seasons do overlap so it'll be interesting to see where you land next year.
You've continued with the clarinet at school, and you tell me you're going to play again next year, but the piano is still your favorite instrument. You and Miss Mary continue to be as thick as thieves, and even when you couldn't use your right hand, she found some great left hand only pieces for you to play (and you played left hand flute on the piano when you couldn't play clarinet in the end of year concert!). You're playing pieces that sound wonderfully complex, and your whole schedule is always built around keeping Monday evenings free for piano. When we went to Italy and Slovenia this summer, you discovered a grand piano at Boston airport and put on quite the performance without your books in front of you! We're headed to see Auntie Caz in a few weeks, so I think you'll have some fun showing her what you've been up to.
You've really got into letter writing this year, and you keep yourself stocked with pens, paper, stamps and wax seals. It's quite the process, but one that we are keen for you keep up. I would say Allie's girlies are the main recipients of it, but you've also managed to keep in touch with your friends like Anne who moved to a new school mid-year. Thinking about friendships, you've continued with pretty much the same crew as last time round. Your party was a sleepover at Papa's with Tessa, Martin and Anne and it was as goofy as it sounds. We're taking Emma down to see Boston Legacy when we get back from traveling this summer, and I wonder where that friendship will go as you two are always giggling and chatting whenever we ride together for soccer or camp stuff. Tessa has wrangled you for your first sleepaway camp in August and I think you're excited for it - you're enough of an adventurer that being away from home won't be an issue and you've got an open mind and a natural way of making new friends that I think you're going to love it.
Overall, you're just a sweet, fun, goofy kid to hang out with. You have a very caring side (your current career goal is to be a therapist for kids, and I keep getting offered terrible therapy sessions with Old Sophie on car rides!), and you LOVE going to Dedham to see the crazies or to Marblehead to see Henry and Claire. You were asked to join a mental health leadership team in the fall school because your kindess and leadership skills, and you were quite taken with some of the non-academic awards being given out at Jake's graduation. I can see you looking to take on more responsibilities at school as it also fits with your "I want to try everything" approach to life.
It'll be weird this year, I think, for you not to have Jake with you at school, especially as you'll have to get yourself to the bus on time each morning! However, you're confident enough and well organized enough that you'll succeed at whatever it is that captures your imagination this coming year. As always, your mom and I will be your cheerleaders, doing whatever we can to support you with your many dreams and watching you continue to grow up into a wonderful human being.
With all my love,
Dad, Daaaad, Plebster
