"Do You Feel Older?"

This morning my Mom Skyped Aimee to tell her Happy Birthday (and to see the pink streak the latter put her in hair for the occasion). Mom asked Aimee if she felt any older, and then she remarked, "Well, you look older!" And, sporting her pink streak and her new Mockingjay earrings, Aimee rather did look grown up this morning.

But we are partly in jest when on birthdays we ask that question - did you feel older?" - and remark on whether the person in question looks older,because of course one day doesn't make much difference in how we feel or look. As a parent, I note my the growth and development of my children, but I confess that I get accustomed to them in their respective phases. Aimee has been in the "older kid" phase for a while now, and so when my mom remarked that she looked older - again, partly in jest - I pondered her growth of late. Does she look "older?"

In the beginning of child's life, of course, growth is so drastic, change so noticeable, that it's noticeable almost daily. They start out so tiny, so new...

...and then in a matter of months, they are different creatures altogether.

Into toddlerhood, growth is still rapid, but perhaps the change slows just a bit...

Still, seeing them do things like sports and dance takes your breath away, as you remember what they just were, not so very long ago.

They don't slow down, by any means, but they become kids, and the stages last longer each time.

But somewhere, somehow, "little girl" doesn't seeme to apply anymore, and that's a new stage, when the horizons broaden..and legs keep lengthening...

And when they hold younger siblings a whole decade younger than they are, the difference does start to show.

And yes, some days, they just look so grown up...

And some other days, they look REALLY grown up, and you can't help but take note.

So does she look older? I guess so. Just a little bit.

Happy birthday, dear Aimee Perrine!