What I love most about my daughter is that she looks out for everyone around her - including her little brother.   Last year, when my kids were attending the same day camp, my daughter was there to watch out for my son when some other kids started teasing him.  You see, as the kids celebrated "Crazy Hat Day" at camp, my kids decided to wear the Goofy hats we bought them at Disneyworld. They're both pretty silly and were perfect for the special day, except when my then six year-old-son arrived with his hat, his fellow kindergarten and first grade campers were not that nice to him. In fact, they didn't call his hat silly, they called it "stupid." My son told me the story after I had returned home from work and I explained that kids could sometimes be mean and he shouldn't pay them any mind. Of course, I started thinking about other things they could tease him about - like his herniated belly button which we haven't fixed yet because I'm afraid to put him under anesthesia and all I kept thinking was how much I hate it when kids get mean - especially since when I was my daughter's age, I was the butt of countless fat jokes.

When my daughter came home from an evening play date, I tucked her into bed and she retold the hat story and how the kids were mean to Dylan.  I then asked if she heard them say anything to him. Although she replied that she didn't, she said her brother came over to tell her what happened and she walked over to the kids and warned them that if they teased her brother again they'd be in trouble - and trust me - you don't want my daughter watching your every move! She then instructed her brother that if he needed her she'd be nearby and said that while her group was playing in the deep end of the pool, she stayed with him until his group moved on to another activity.

And that's why I love my daughter. Don't get me wrong, I love her more than anything even before I decided to share this story, but to see how compassionate and protective she is of her little brother even when I'm not around, made my eyes well up with tears. People tell me all the time that she is an old soul who looks out for others and frankly, I wholeheartedly agree. I have always sensed a glimpse of my grandma in her - from her masterful crochet work to always being on hand to help those in need, to her love of cooking and incredible sense of humor. At 10 years old, she is well on her way to becoming an incredible young lady and all I can say is I am so proud to be her mom.