On Sunday, my Bug will be 5. I’m remembering the time spent waiting for her to come and the time spent seeing her grown. This kid can make us smile at 10 paces…

Bug, you are our family’s walking heart. Your Pre-K teacher told us that  you are one of the first to offer a hug to a friend who is said or give up your toy to a friend without one. When a sister is struggling (assuming you didn’t cause it), you are right there to offer a shoulder. I rarely hear you say something mean, and it’s rarer still that you meant it.

I’ve had a lot of fun watching a lot more of your personality sparkle and shine. You wake up goofy and wanting to play and joke around. You wake up snuggly and come into our bed for extra cuddles. You play hard all day and work so hard at school that you crash for bed. You will stop and dance at the merest hint of music and smile through it all. Living life smiling ~ that’s yu!

I’ve seen some strong leadership skills starting to come out, and I love it. You know what you want, and you’re working hard to get it. You may be a bit of a people pleaser, but you will use that in some ways to turn the tide to your preferred direction.

Some of my favorite moments from this year including your answer of “unicorn” when someone asked you want you want for your birthday. Or when asked what you want to be when you grow up, it changed from Princess to Queen.

Bug, if you want to be a queen or a unicorn owner, I’ve no doubt you will live your dreams as long as you continue to work as hard as you have been.

*Pictures courtesy of Megan Stans of meganstans.com