Alynne Tiffany- 7 Years Old

How is our baby 7 years old?! That doesn’t even seem possible! Another year has flown by with Aly. We could not be more proud of the young lady she is becoming.

This year Aly has learned how to swim, ride a bike, paddle board, and even surf. I’m not sure we could have imagined all of that happening last year at this time! Aly has gotten so brave with the water and is now a confident swimmer and loves to be in the ocean for hours. Up until Covid, she was doing gymnastics and ballet. She attempted ballet virtually for a month or so, but it really just squashed her love of dance, so we let her stop. When we moved to San Diego, she joined the local surf club twice a week. She has been such a natural with it, and it has been so fun to learn how to surf alongside her. And just a couple of weeks ago, Aly started doing ballet again. I’m thrilled to see our talented ballerina back in action!

Alynne is such a brilliant little girl. She reads constantly, devouring whole chapter books within an hour. She continues to love non-fiction books as well. This has contributed to her vast array of knowledge haha. She tells me random facts that I don’t know nearly every day! She has also started becoming interested in history (like Papi) and is enjoying reading biographies. Her favorites being about George Washington and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Last year, Alynne started at a new school. Having scored in the top 1% of NYC students, she was attending a gifted and talented program in New York. (we miss NY schools!!) She excelled wonderfully in school last year, and we really felt like she was being pushed to her full potential academically.
Aly has been so resilient through virtual school and then starting yet another new school for the 3rd year in a row, this time across the country and virtually. She is doing great, always an eager learner! Our little 7 year old is even reading at a middle school reading level!

Since we have been pretty isolated since March, Aly has really cemented her friendship with Fynn. They live in their pretend world much of the days. When Fynn will share her, Aly really loves playing with Jackson and Luca too. She really is such a great sister!

Aly has always been a mature and independent child. From a young age, she has always wanted to do everything herself and loved to do anything she could to feel like a big kid. Year 7 really pushed this trait of hers to the max. A few months after she turned 7, Covid hit while I was on bed rest in a high risk pregnancy. Then Luca was born, and we were left without any help while juggling a newborn, work, school, therapy, and postpartum. Man oh man, have I been grateful for Aly. She stepped up in such huge ways this year. She has been the helper Ron and I so desperately needed. She plays with Fynn, she cares for Jackson (can even put him to bed), and is always ready to hold Luca if I need my arms free! Aly is an incredible helper in our family and she has the biggest heart. She loves to serve our family, and we are so grateful for her. I try to remember that she’s still a little girl and give her lots of one-on-one fun time. We love to play chess together and paint our nails :)

Alygator,

Wow, honey, we are so proud of you. Each new year, you constantly amaze me. You really are such a treasure to both Papi and me. I always remember how desperately I wanted a daughter and the excitement I felt when we found out that you were a girl! And at the time, I had no idea that despite having 4 more babies, you would remain my only daughter. I hope you know how special you are, and not just because you are the only girl in our family. You are special because you are made in the image of God, and you are so loved by Him and so loved by our family. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a kid with as big of a heart as you! You are such a kind person, always eager to help others and serving everyone around you so selflessly. I learn so much from you! We value you so much, and it truly is such a joy and honor to be your mom. Thank you for making me a mom; I can’t wait to see what this year holds for you!

Love,
Mami