March 18, 2013
Dear Annabelle,
Happy 6th Birthday! So much for best laid plans, thank goodness you are so adaptable. You have been looking forward to this day for some time. There was going to be a special celebration at school with cupcakes & grape drinks as you requested. After an ice storm last night school was cancelled. You were perfectly content to stay home with Nana and have a pajama day. You just shrugged and said “oh well, I guess we will have the party tomorrow”. You do not let disappointment overwhelm you. Such a mature young lady you are. We are still going out to dinner with our family after Nate’s Open House tonight so there will be plenty of celebration for you.
This past year has been full of learning and change. Last summer you learned to swim. You had always been a little hesitant around the water, we upgraded from a kiddie pool to a 3 foot size and you took off. Our little mermaid, we often had to haul you out of the pool after it had gotten dark. You are a natural and are looking forward to learning to swim on top of the water this summer. We are all looking forward to another summer at Idlewild, playing in the wave pool and floating around the lazy river in inner tubes.
We have a long time family friend that is a Kindergarten teacher at your school. Last summer I made the decision not to try to have you placed with her, instead I prayed you would be placed with the best Kindergarten teacher for you. Those prayers were answered more than we could have imagined. You started in Mrs. Jones class at the end of last summer and simply flourished. She recognized what a truly intelligent little girl you are and referred you for further testing. Please know that all the decisions we made both on your behalf and with you were not made lightly. We know actions taken now will affect the rest of your life. We debated letting anyone put a label on you that says “gifted”, because often when someone has a label that is all people see (positive or negative). We know you are so much more than your IQ or any label, you have many special gifts. Ultimately though what was best for you was to advance to 1st grade. We did it slow, first only going for a few hours in the morning for reading and then gradually working your way up to full days. Through all this you have been brave, confident and eager to learn. You miss your Kindergarten friends and especially Mrs. Jones but you get to see them often while still building new relationships in 1st grade. Thank goodness for Cricket, your friend that has been on this journey with you, her consistency has been your touchstone. You love the 1st grade math, you practice spelling words all the time and you can’t wait to get to the library each week. Both socially and academically you have adjusted beyond our expectations; please always know how proud we are of you for taking this leap.
You were a cowgirl for Halloween this year and participated in the town Halloween parade, winning $15 for prettiest girl. You had a ball marching with your friends, I’m so glad you love Halloween and still agree to wear coordinating costumes with your brother. That makes me happy. I promise not to torture you with the pictures in your teenage years.
Your hair is long, about halfway down your back, and thick. You made the decision last fall you wanted to donate to Locks of Love so we have let it grow. As soon as your Dance Recital is over this year we are going to cut it short for summer. You have a beautiful soul Annabelle, and hair is hair, it grows. I’m so grateful for your pure heart.
Your activities this year are Tumble, Ballet, Tap, Daisies and Sunday school. You will play in the bell choir at church again this Easter as you did at Christmas.
I hope you always know how very much you are loved, how very proud we are of all of you and how very honored we are to be your parents. Your Dad & I are humbled to call you daughter.
Happy birthday my beautiful girl, I love being your Mommy and I Love YOU to the moon and back.
Mommy
2 comments:
Happy Birthday Annabelle! I am tickled that even an ice storm won't keep you from celebrating this big day! Give your mom a GIANT hug for and tell her what a great mama she is! I absolutely LOVE reading birthday letters she writes!
So sweet. You are lucky to have her, and she is so lucky to have you, Kristen.
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