Happy Birthday Alex!

by Suzy Solomon   It's been 14 years since we were surprised with a beautiful, bald-headed, little girl in South Carolina while we were in the army stationed at Fort Jackson.  I sometimes call her my Carolina girl.  When she got a little older she had the prettiest, naturally curly hair.  I don't know where she got it, but I think God knew I wasn't good with hair so he made it easier on me. We always tease her that she had the devil's curly hair because she was sometimes very difficult in her preschool years.  Alex with Grandma Evans Alex is very smart and is always learning. She learned to read very early and has developed a love for reading throughout the years that has obviously contributed to her intelligence and good grades. She is always spouting off little known facts (like Cliff on Cheers) and loves to correct people. I tell her she'd be a great teacher!   Alex is a Daddy's Girl and loves to cuddle with Milo and just talk.  He's the one that gets the earful of all the drama in school. She's definitely a talker and always has something to say.  Sometimes she tries to act shy, but she is generally very sociable and has lots of friends. She is usually involved in some kind of sport every year and has been involved in the school plays the last two years.   This year she is doing cross country and we are so proud of her.  She started later than most everybody and still comes in last, but she is running miles every day after school and is improving on her own times.   Alex is very musical.  She loves to sing and play the piano. She has sung solos and duets in church and is our best soprano in the branch choir. I was so proud of her when she tried out for the high school play as a 7th grader.  She memorized "Hopelessly Devoted to You" from "Grease" the night before tryouts, walked into the room in front of the panel and started singing a cappella. Of course she made it! She has picked up piano lessons again this year and just played for her best friend's mom's wedding (on her birthday). She played seating music, exit music, and the bridal march on the baby grand piano in the lobby of the Holiday Inn in front of a good crowd. I was so proud!   Alex is very excited to be in high school this year and is all gung ho about starting seminary. She was the only girl in the branch to go to girls camp the last two years and has made many friends in the stake. She is always so faithful and devoted to church things and always participates in our stake's Iron Man reading where you read the Book of Mormon in 60 days.    Some of Alex's favorite things include hanging out with her friends and having sleepovers, Aeropostale clothes, layering, READING, mac & cheese, watching movies, READING, riding her bike, rafting, READING, mocking her brothers and sneering at people who are less intelligent.   We love you Alex!!!