Smudge turns 5.5

Wow, sweet girl! Another 6 months have gone by in the blink of an eye. You started school and are absolutely loving it. Mommy and Daddy have had a rough time adjusting to the frequent (though recently diminishing) after school meltdowns, the massively different academic expectations, the constant struggle of earlier bedtimes, and meals, early morning school bells, and keeping up with all the things. You struggled with not knowing the kids in your class, at first but you seem to be doing great now and are making lots of friends at school. Your favorite friend, E, is in a different class but you are so happy to be at the same school. The other struggle you face on a daily basis is being asked by numerous parents, teachers, and administrators if you are 4 or if you are in pre-k. This is a very, very sensitive topic for you.

Even with the added emotional lability, you remain the sunniest part of our day. You give out smiles generously and continue to hug fiercely. Your teachers have noticed what we have long said--you are always excited about everything. The positive emotions you feel just radiate from your soul. You love to laugh, to sing, to dance, and to tell stories. At night, I lay in your (new, big girl!) bed for 10 minutes and you highlight your favorite parts of the day, tell silly jokes, and give a thousand hugs. It is hands down, the best aspect of each day for me. My second favorite part is often when, right before I go to bed, I go tuck you in and kiss you again. You are so peaceful and sleepy and completely wonderfully still.

You are starting to recognize and sound out a few words but you aren't really reading yet. This seems to be concerning to the school. I appreciate the work and the importance of testing but the high stakes standards are so difficult for me to swallow. You love to write and are able to spell words from memory--I feel like if you can spell words and names from memory, you must be learning something worthwhile. But it's hard for me. The part of me that learned that Bs are unacceptable and that there is a right or perfect way of doing things is at constant war with the part of me that reads the research on early literacy and not pressuring children into reading before they are ready. I imagine this will only continue to get more fun as you progress through school.

Currently you are in tap and gymnastics. You are desperate to learn to do flips and cartwheels and are excited to now be able to flip over the vertical bar. You absolutely love to draw and to write. That is what you spend so much of your time doing. You started watching a show on Amazon that highlights creativity (Creative Galaxy) so our house has become a museum of various projects--absolutely everywhere. But we love it. You are incredibly funny and always keep us on our toes. Watching you develop insight, test predictions, and make logical connections. You are just so fun.

These days you are looking forward to our upcoming Disney trip, Halloween, Christmas, the first grade, and turning six. You complained last week that you wanted to wear a Halloween shirt but you were were worried because you said none of the other children were wearing halloween yet. I can't believe these social comparisons begin so young.

I  also can't believe this next birthday letter we will write to you will be when you are 6. It feels like a lifetime from now but I am well familiar with how quickly time moves by as you get older.  :) Somehow, I imagine I will remain surprised, however. Right now you are the perfect size and age for everything so I can't imagine how you will be when you are too big to carry. I hope I still have awhile for that.