SIX!

Today you are six! That’s more than a handful (unless you’re counting in ASL) and you are more than a heart-full, (though more than a handful at times as well).

Your default setting is joy, with a smile upon your face and a giggle that is quick to spill out. You love to take in the world around you, wanting to learn and understand all that you encounter from the book you just picked up to the refugee you pass on the street to how an elevator functions.

You are a learner. Your love of reading and writing are matched by your mathematical mind and your quest for scientific observations. You are becoming an independent reader, attempting any book you pick up and happy to read to others. If you think it, you want to write it down carrying a notebook with you often for just such occasions. You write the grocery list and read it off to make sure all items are gotten. But it doesn’t stop with words, numbers are a fun puzzle as well. You find patterns and look for ways to expand what you discover. Counting, skip counting, ways to make 5 or 10 or 100 are all a natural part of how your brain works. You have learned that scientists observe things (and then write those observations down) so you explore the world to see what you can notice. With all of this happening in your brain you also like to be the teacher and share what you have figured out with those around you, being people or dolls or those I can’t see.

Your heart is big. Your compassion for those around you can’t be missed. Not only do you want to help the child that is sad feel better, you also want to share food and money with those you see who don’t have what you have. You understand that we are blessed and that there is a responsibility that comes with those blessings. I thank you for helping me to pay more attention to this.

Your big heart shares hugs gleefully and when you are happy or thankful you want to express those emotions with hugs and kisses. You never want to miss an opportunity for a family hug or snuggle, especially if you happen to notice Mommy and Daddy are hugging without you.

Not only is your heart big for others, but also for God. Your sense of spirituality continues to grow and deepen, which is a wonder to experience with you. It is a natural part of who you are and the weekly chance to be amongst a body of believers is very important to you. The Bible is one of your favorite books, wanting to read one story after another as we cycle through it again and again. You sing and dance as an act of worship and share your thanksgivings and concerns when you talk to God.

With all that head and heart stuff let’s not forget your body. P.E. is your favorite class. You love to be active and mastering the monkey bars is something you are very proud of this year. What else keeps you moving? Scootering, skipping, dancing, body surfing, skating, biking, swimming, and more!

On top of all of this you have a love for adventure, (which is nearly necessary to be a part of our family!) You are happy to go wandering through the neighborhood or to a new country. You ‘go with the flow’ when needed and understand that adventures don’t always go as planned (if they are planned at all) and that is part of the fun. You are ready for the adventure of moving to Yanbu. (Speaking of Yanbu, your Arabic continues to develop and correcing my pronunciation amuses you.)

I would be remiss to not add that you are also very willful and opinionated, which we hope will be a strength in the long run. At this point it adds great challenges (for both you and us). You keep us on our toes and force us to continue to refine our parenting skills. Thankfully, as I stated at the beginning, your default setting is joy.

I can’t wait to see what this year has in store as you continue to grow. Happy six!