Rule follower from the very beginning- born on her exact due date... how can she possibly be FIVE today.
She was the baby that didn't need child proofing, the timid toddler that didn't walk till 16 months, and now the little girl that melts my heart on the daily. She is a rule follower- almost to a fault.
At her birthday breakfast she asked if the cinnamon roll on her plate was healthy- because if it wasn't then she would eat it last since it is more of a treat.
She is always wanting to please those around her. After her birthday party, she asked how she did with her manners and if I thought she was polite and kind to all her friends- YES my sweet girl!!!!!
'Let's just chat' she will often say- this is normally in the car or at bedtime. It is within these chats that I see her growing, worrying, learning, and becoming her own little person. She will ask simple questions- like how words are spelled, or how something works in the world and then she will ask the hard questions- ones that deal with Heaven and faith. I listen and answer the best I can- trying to see how her little brain is working.
The other night she expressed that she didn't want grandma to have white hair- when I asked why- she explained it was because white hair meant you were close to going to Heaven and she didn't want to be without grandma.
She is timid in new settings, especially when she doesn't know the expectations or rules set for her. However, when she does feel comfortable the joy and silliness spills out. Her all time favorite thing to do is ACT. We spend countless hours role playing every single movie or show- she is always the princess or queen and I am always the villain. There have been days where I plead to just be mommy for a minute- but I always end up as Ursula the Sea Witch or Mother Gothel.
She is my teacher....
In the morning, if we are having a rough start (normally a clothing battle) and we are getting frustrated and beginning to yell- she will stop and say, "Let's just hug and start over."
"Mom could you move Rowyn from that sharp corner, it's just making me nervous." These are the phrases I hear from her about her little sister. She is Rowyn's keeper, her guardian. I over hear her saying, "No, no sweetie don't touch that." "Come on darling let's play." "Oh honey, what's wrong?" She is so caring and thoughtful and simply put- exactly what I always knew she would be as a sister.
There are days we are having the deepest of conversations when I want to cry because she seems so old....
then she asks , "Mama, could you please do me a favorite?" - she means, a favor. I don't want to correct her because I selfishly love those small glimpses that remind me she is still my sweet little girl and every day is a true blessing.
So as she said her prayers tonight, adding at the very end "Oh and God, thank you for letting me turn five." I echo that thankfulness. Thank you Lord, for five healthy and happy years with this little girl- thank you for allowing me to be her mama and guide me in all the years to come- may I not fail her, as she deserves the best.
