And now she is 6

Wow. You're 6. Sometimes I look at you and marvel at how you aren't such a little kid anymore. Sure, in the grand scheme of things, you still are, but when I see you around your sister or around your younger friends, you really aren't so little. And when I see you leading and riding a horse you look both really little and really big at the very same time. I sometimes shake my head in disbelief.

Homeschooling fits you well. You ask many questions a day and are so eager to learn- if it interests you. You are incredibly creative and can turn anything into a toy. You utter the phrase "let's pretend that..." 50 times a day.

You love all things horses and were recently excited to be able to clean out stalls (much to my complete shock!). You love your riding lessons and ask regularly when you can have a horse of your own.

A recent foray into girliness has taken us by surprise. You've suddenly decided that dresses are really cool, especially the twirly ones. Privacy is required when changing clothes and you've asked to let your hair grow long. It's shaken your daddy up a little, I must tell you. He's having fears of you dating someday.

I love watching you grow and learn, figuring out who you are along the way. I hold onto the fleeting bits of little kidness you have left and celebrate the steps into big kidness with you.

Happy Birthday, sweetie!