Princess turned 6 today!

My little Princess is growing up to be a beautiful young lady.  I’m enjoying see this transformation.

My Dear Little Princess,

I remember when we brought home our small little bundle.  Your brothers couldn’t wait to hold you and play with you.  Now I think there’s times they’d gladly trade you, but then there’s the times like this morning where it’s a joy to watch all of you together.  They so eagerly brought you your birthday presents, and couldn’t wait to watch you open.

You have always been head strong.  I’ve always said, “you won’t be the one getting in trouble because of peer pressure.  You’ll be the one leading everyone else into it.”  But your knowing what you believe and what you want to do is such a gift.  You will not be led astray by a handsome face when you turn 15, nor will someone convince you to try things you are not ready for or that are not a good idea.

You are inquisitive.  You have to know the why and the how and the everything behind what is going on.  Right now this often gets you into trouble as you ask one too many questions and try my patience.  Someday though, it will help you become a scientist finding a cure for cancer or an explorer plumbing the depths of the ocean.

You are creative.  This also means you are frequently messy.  But it’s messy in a cute sort of way (okay, the disaster zone that is your room is not so cute).  I love to get pictures of you with random smudges on your nose from your latest art project or sitting in the midst of 2 million paper scraps as you proudly hold up your 20 snowflakes you made.  I think you have already gone through a small forest of paper in your 6 years on earth, and I expect you to go through another small forest in your next 6 years.  Probably more as you take on bigger and “better” projects.

You are an insomniac.  I’m sorry girl, you inherited this from me, I wish it were different.  We can never tell when you’re actually asleep or not.  A few weeks ago your Dad and I were talking to each other while we thought you were sleeping. It was midnight.  Then you piped up with “He shouldn’t hit his sister,” and we stared at each other in shock, you’d been listening.  When we asked if you were awake I could literally hear you thinking, “What do I answer?”  Finally you said yes, and we all laughed.  I have dozens more stories of your not sleeping or falling asleep in odd places and times when your body finally gave up.

You are loving.  You would gladly give your most treasured toy if you thought it would make someone you love happy.  You share with everyone and give hugs to anyone who will stand still long enough.  I love your smile and your infectious laugh (not the fake one, that’s not so cute).

You are smart.  Sometimes too smart for your own good.  You figure things out faster than I would expect, and you zoom through schoolwork I expect to take a long time.

For better or for worse you are your mother’s daughter.  You will perpetually look the cat that caught the canary.  You will rush in where angels fear to tread.  You will fight for your friends and create your own family.  You will be happy when everything says you should be sad.

Happy birthday my little girl.