Happy Birthday, Monkey!

Happy 12th Birthday, Cassidy!

This is daughter number two. She thought she was a boy until she was about four. She's always been a little tomboy, as in Santa better not even bother with barbies for this girl and just bring on the cool boy toys. By the time she was six months old she'd earned her official nickname, "Monkey". She had long arms and legs and would wrap her legs around my waist (back when I still had one) and wave her arms around in the air. People would remark to us all the time that she looked like a little monkey. I was never offended because she actually had monkey mannerisms. Our oldest daughter never required child safety locks or really got into much of anything, but this girl was born trying to walk, crawl or climb her way into mischief. They were like night and day. She's got more energy than anyone I've ever known. She loves all kinds of sports. She played baseball until last year at pitcher and first base and always held her own against the boys. She's head strong and extremely stubborn, competitive, smart, kind, hard-working and beautiful. However, if she's not happy, then none of us are. To know her is to love her (and sometimes want to lock her in the closet). We also call her the elephant because she can remember stuff vividly from when she was like three. She remembers things we have long forgotten, so we often call on her for details of things we can't recall. She's my only child with a dark complexion and my other daughter and I just want to slap her for staying so tan all year round. We also call her Harriet (as in the spy) because nothing gets past her and she always wants to know what's going on around here, whether it concerns her directly or not. (I think I might know where she gets that).

I love you, Monkey and hope you have an awesome birthday!