Miss A at 5.5

Darling girl, I just don't know where to start with you. What I want to say is that you are EVERYTHING. You are everything to me, but that both doesn't do you justice and doesn't really take into account that your siblings are EVERYTHING to me as well. But you are just a bit of everything and I just can't get over how special you are.

When your little sister was born, you were very excited, for a few days. After that, you weren't "not excited," but you just didn't really pay much attention to her, for a good few weeks. We are just past 7 weeks as a family of five, and you are just the biggest love. You are a calming force when your sister is a little cranky, and you are a breath of fresh, FUN air when your brother needs the attention that his Mama can't give him.

My darling girl, the number of times in the last few weeks that I have just thanked God (or whoever it is that gave you to me) for you. Without being asked, you can see what I need, and you do it. You have a way of reading people that is beyond your years. You help me bring the groceries in from the car simply because you can see that my arms are full when I do it alone. You put the toilet paper roll on the holder because you saw that it was empty. You clear your plate off the table because it saves Mommy or Daddy having to do it. you create the most beautiful outdoor dinner table for us, with tablecloths and shells at each place and set out the fancy glasses because thats what Fancy Nancy would do.

You invite Riley into your room to play on your bed, to color, or to play games minutes after he has hit you, or dumped your food onto the floor because you love him, and love means forgiving. You have patience with your Mommy when your sister is crying, or your brother is telling me "NO," because you are just good at loving, and at understanding.

Darling girl, near the end of the school year, I picked you up with your brother and sister, and as we were walking back to the car, we ran into a woman Mommy knows from Agassiz, and her two kids. Her son, Alex is starting kindergarten in September and he is very anxious, so they joined in the kindergarten class for a couple of days in June to get him used to it. She told me that her and her son were very thankful for you, as you asked him over and over to join in with you - to play the sand table, to read books, to play outside, etc; you went out of your way to make him feel comfortable. Ava, above anything else that you get out of school, THIS is my wish for you. I want for you to be a noticer, and that what you are. I want you to notice the kids who are left out, who are sad, who have no one to play with, and I want you to make them feel special. And I am BEYOND proud that you are that person already, at such a young age.

You have turned into a monkey my darling, and you need to climb EVERYTHING. You got a loft bed in your room, and you are using it as a place to climb, a place to flip and a place to fly.  Luckily you have not yet landed in the hospital for your risky acrobatics. We have signed you up for Acro dance in September and think you are just going to love it - the chance to dance, to run and to flip, what more could you ask for?!

Sweet girl, we just got back from a week spent in Tulameen with Daddy's Merritt friends and their families. 4 families, 11 kids, a GIANT house, a GIANT yard, and freedom. I will always worry about you fitting in, and not because I think you may not fit in, but because I just want you to be happy. You brought your headphones, your speakers, and your iPod, and darling, your music, your spirit, and your spunk found its way into your friends hearts. You had SO much fun. We hardly saw you, and to be honest, at the end of 5 days, we were starting to MISS you! You love your freedom, and you love your independence, and we just pray that this will be a positive thing, for both you and for us.
Our Black Mountain weekends have also increased this need for freedom, as the cabin came with walkie talkies, a mountain behind made for climbing, and trails made for exploring. You quickly become sour if Mommy and Daddy have to come along, for Riley's sake, or for all of your sakes when there have been bear sightings! You are quick to turn around and head for home if we need to be there too. Darling girl, I hope this is something that is new and exciting and that you are not going to need your freedom from us forever!

Sweet bean, you have started to make breakfast for your Daddy and I in the mornings. You often come in and tell us to stay in bed, and later show up with a variety of things, including toast, milk, yogurt, berries, and your special waffle,syrup, and peanut butter sandwich. We are lucky that we get you.

Darling, your love for the water continues to explode, and with every lesson that you take, your confidence increases, and your need for independence increases. There is something particularly sweet about getting to walk you over to the Fernie Coombe Pool for lessons, the same pool where I grew up learning how to swim. You love the walk, an your visits with Omi and the Penners along the way. You look forward to trips into the Penner's backyard for fun on their swings, lemonade and cookies. Mr. Penner was my Grade 6 teacher, and Omi is one of my best high school friend's Grandmother's - these are special times.

Darling girl, we are so blessed by you, and this entry does not even come close to showing you how much we love you, and giving respect to ALL The things we love about you.
Keep shining, sweet girl. <3