stilettos to slippers: April 2024

Happy Birthday my darling daughter, another lap around the sun and what a year you've had! Gosh we are so proud of you; of your grit, determination, motivation and pursuit of excellence in everything that you do. You continue to shine at school, determined to be a school leader in year 6 next year, you have taken on band, competed for the school in all sorts of sports and continue to work hard on your academics through assignments and tests.

You and I have really come together this year. We are fighting less and spending more time together. We spent hours making friendship bracelets and our costumes for the ERAs tour together. You are less critical of me after each coaching session for netball and carnivals. You fight me less on home work, and for the most part I never have to remind you to do chores, band practice, training and homework. You've started getting more freedom, going on walks with friends, having your own spriggy card to buy clothes or certain things you might want. You are still the apple of your Dads eye, batting those eyelashes to bend him to your will. Things with Cooper are less volatile it seems, you give him more space and he compliments you on occasion.

Things I can say to describe you through this year:

An absolute fire cracker, spicy when you need to be but also caring, kind and thoughtful.

The most wonderful big sister, patient and protective.

A fierce friend, loyal to those you love. You cheer your friends on even when they are competing against you.

You show sportsmanship and grace in defeat, and modesty in your wins.

I tell you this all the time but you make me proud every day. There is nothing that you wont try, and if you don't succeed first time, you will try over and over again until you do. Your grandparents all adore you, you love to spend time with Oma and Grandma in their kitchens (probably a reflection of me not being able to spend that type of time in the kitchen as we run between practices). Your teachers and friends parents all praise your manners and behaviour and it's so amazing to know that you are growing into a polite and respectful pre teen. Also how did we get to pre teen? This will be the hormone hijacking year no doubt. I can already see some small physicals changes and I'm nervous to say the least.

We got you an athletics coach this year and it's really nice to see you so happy training for jumps, but also learning how to pace your longer runs, hurdle with good technique and leap further in triple jump.

This year I want you to focus on the things that make you happy. Enjoy the little things, and don't let people dictate what you say, do, think and believe in. Keep that spirit and joy alive. Try your hardest, set those goals and believe in yourself. There are enough years ahead where self doubt creeps in, dont let this be the year. Forget your haters, leave the so called friends who dont cheer you on behind, surround yourself with people who inspire you and encourage you to do your best and who are proud of you when you do. Be you Zoe, because you are perfect just the way you are and thats the girl I love and the girl who inspires me the most.

You are:

Weight: 32.4 kilo

Height: 143cm

Favourite food: tuna morney

Favourite singer: Taylor Swift,

Favourite song: Are you ready for it? T.S

Best Friends: Teuila, Ruby and Phoebe

Hates: Liars and Bullies

You play: Athletics, Soccer, Touch footy and Netball and you are still smashing goals with each of them

You want to be: an Athlete and a singer

The years Highlights:

ACT school Athletics championships, where you jumped a new state record of 127cm in high jump.

Being selected to represent the ACT at the school sport Athletics Championships in Tasmania, placing 12th nationally in high jump and narrowly missing Bronze in the 4x100 relay.

Receiving a recognition award from School Sport ACT as a nominee to the All Rounder Award.

Going to Taylor Swift sold out ERAs tour in Sydney

Winning Best and Fairest at the 2023 Netball Presentation.

Winning the 2023 female achievement award for soccer.

Selected for school band in 2024 where you are learning Clarinet.

Dressing as Wednesday Adams for Halloween