6 years

Last week my little girl turned 6 and I am not sure how time flies so quickly, but it does. I also found out on the same day that someone very, very close to me has Breast Cancer. Those two events will forever be intertwined in my brain. In my struggle to celebrate my daughter's birthday, while crying on the inside, I failed to write her birthday post. Not the first or last time I will screw up I am sure. I hope she can forgive me.

Dear C,
You are by far one of the sweetest, gentlest, kindest little girls I know. Your sensitivity to the world around you and awareness of those hurting, and in need, is far greater than most adults. You are a feeler. A giver. Someone who loves to your core and looks at life with such sweet innocence.

When you were a baby, I would nuzzle your little head and wish I could bottle up all the baby goodness that was you. As you grow older I have wanted to do that at pretty much every single point in your life. I know I can't. I can't stop you from growing. I can't shelter you from a life that I fear will change you...but I want to. So I am capturing it here. This will be my bottle.

As a six year old you fluxuate between super confident and insecure. Thankfully the confidence usually wins, but there are moments of doubt. I try to navigator through those times of doubt as best as I can and hope I am showing you through my example of how to navigator through this world.

I love that a pair of hand me down boots make you feel like you are a rockstar. If you throw in a purse and a hairstyle you think is cute, and well, watch out world! You get a little swagger and pep in your step. I find that to be the case about great shoes for me as well. :)

You are on that edge where you want to be a big girl, while still crawling up in my lap like a little girl. I am thinking I will let you crawl into my lap until you are 80 if that's what you wish. There's no such thing as spoiling you with cuddle time.

Book reading, writing, drawing, crafting, dancing, singing, etc. are all things you love to do. Our house is filled with your art projects and books. We do tumbling every week for 1.5 hours and it's awesome to see your determination when you want to master something. It's equally as awesome to see your face when you know you nailed it.

We just went through our first round of selling G*rl Sc*ut Cookies and I think the overall experience as a GS has been in a good one for you. It's great to see you interacting with the other girls and the lessons they teach are really valuable ones that will benefit you long term.

At home we still hang out every night and chat before bed. We talk about your day, what you find interesting, and sometimes nothing at all...we just cuddle. (Again, no such thing as too much cuddling.) I love those moments with you. I hope it's something that we can do together forever.

I told you on your birthday Thank You For Making Me a Mom. And I meant it. You changed my life in so may positive ways and cause me to grow and become a better person daily. I can't wait to see what this next year brings you.

I Love You.
Mommy