6 Candles

Today has finally arrived! Pink has been counting down for 364 days, and it’s HERE. It’s her birthday. (Though last night she told me she’s almost 10 which is a better number than 6, so I guess we’re now on the 1460 day countdown…) And while I can’t stop time, I figured in honor of her special day, I’d capture a bit of what life looks like for her right here and now.

6 is…

Waking up with a joyful heart and ready-to-hug arms.

Breathless giggles thanks to two endlessly silly brothers.

The scales still tipping toward the side of “mommy” over “mom”.

Endlessly drawing and searching for rainbows and butterflies.

I-can-do-it-by-myself-isms.

Being kind enough to let others have their way — not because you’re a push over, but because you already have the wisdom to know how to pick your battles.

Respectfully speaking up for yourself when someone says or does something mean to you. Then forgiving them wholeheartedly.

Wanting to read chapter books like your brothers, write stories like your mom, and keep things nice and neat like your dad.

Loving doing contractions (or what the rest of us call subtraction).

Becoming conscious (and self-conscious) of adorably mispronounced words when your big brothers giggle and repeat you.

Thinking that “adorable” and “curly” aren’t nearly as wonderful as “pretty” and “straight”…no matter what everyone else says.

Being excited to go to baseball games, not to cheer on your brothers, but to formulate secret potions and build fairy houses with your bleacher buddies.

Invented spelling that helps you express your thoughts in magically sweet ways.

Showing off your great, big, sincere heart by saying “I love you” to everyone from family to teachers to classroom buddies — and meaning it.

Placing your soft hand inside mine at unexpected moments.

Knowing all the strokes and wanting to be a World Champion swimmer one day.

Wiggly and missing front teeth.

Knowing that this is the year your hard work will pay off and you’ll conquer the monkey bars, a jump rope, and cartwheels and handstands.

Constantly changing playground friends and adventures.

Spending hours talking to and for your baby dolls.

Playing Frozen UNO for hours and hours (and hours).

Sitting in the back seat, singing all the words at the top of your lungs and not caring one bit that you have the lyrics all wrong because you have the voice and smile of an angel.

Playing Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendes way too loud, then putting on shows with friends.

Dreaming of having your very own dog one day (which is why we’ll obviously need five at once because — in spite of your generous spirit— that’s not something anyone should have to share).

Speaking and singing en Español whenever the mood strikes.

Falling asleep moments after your head hits the pillow.

Truly delightful.

You, my sweet Pink, are delightful. Not only do your father and I think so, teachers, parents, and other kind souls remind us of it regularly. And today we will celebrate you by reflecting all the joy and laughter you bring into the world each and every day.