You know your child is really growing up when their birthday makes you more sad than the last year’s did. I don’t know why Lena turning 11 is such a wistful thing for me – perhaps it’s because I see how much Cole has changed and grown now that he is 13. And while it’s all wonderful to interact with this new and changed person, the child is gone forever.  Lena is on the cusp of leaving childhood behind her forever as well, and while so much great opportunity and experience await her, I can’t help wanting to hold on to that child self a little bit longer.