Turning 6

Here's a milestone update as Madame M turns 6.

- Let's get this out of the way - boy, she can talk. talk back. talk loud. you get the drift.

- She is on the taller side for her age - I used to think she'd tower over the other kindergartners, but looks like she blends right in.

- We are in that terrible princess - rainbow - glitter - unicorn phase. I can't wait to move beyond.

- For every thing that mom says - first try to say no. Or argue. Or offer a deal. A yes right away would make it to the headlines.

- She is a reader alright! Has been devouring chapter books for many months now - notable ones - The Princess in Black series, Heidi Hecklebeck, Ivy and Bean, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte's Web, Magic Tree House series....

- She is getting better at writing - I am beginning to understand that her part frustration with writing is that she has all these big words that she wants to express herself with but can't get hold of the spellings - so she tries to consciously choose simpler words to make it less painful. ALso, she is plain lazy - would rather not write. 

- She is doing basic addition and subtraction - learning to use her fingers - trying teh counting by 5s and 10s.

- Art - painting, cutting , gluing, coloring, drawing -she can spend hours on this. We tried some art classes over the summer and she absolutely enjoyed them. We'll go back next summer too.

- Swimming continues - she doesn't take it competitively - loves the water though and that works for me!

- For all her declarations of being grown up and wagging her finger ta me telling me "You are not the boss of me", she still finds her way at night to snuggle and sleep with us!

- Still enjoying school too - her favorite part of the day is recess though!

Happy 6th!

Oh my dear lord! Manya, you are 6. Like you yourself put it really bluntly the other day you are not cute or baby or sweet anymore. 

You are a wildfire, a beautiful blossoming flower, a fast flowing river. The sassier you are getting, the harder my prayers get. We want you to have all the happiness that you desire and then some more. This year has been a big transition for you. We moved from Portland to Seattle. You moved from the snug preschool to the public elementary school where you started Kindergarten - all excited and ready to take on the world. 

In you, I see a very pragmatic person who is often overridden by the many emotions that ebb in her heart - and I might find it exhausting because one minute it seems like you are so mature, understanding everything and then the very next second you are this moody whiny baby like any six year old - but I guess that's how it should be. I have to keep reminding myself that inspite of your spitfire attitude and humongous vocabulary, you are my little baby. 

Today is a day to celebrate you. And it doesn't get old - the joy of preparing for your big. Your enthusiastic anticipation - you want to be surprised but "in a good way" Ha ha ha! Oh dear!

This year is special because nana nani are here to add their frosting of love over everything. You were not sure about a party with your friends and so we let it be this year. Though school was fun - with you wearing your royal dress and the cupcakes for everyone - you got to be the star of the week!

Now a days we are having a lot of conversation around what is really important - experiences, relationships and not necessarily things, objects, toys. We are talking about "real" happiness. I know it's hard especially because no joy can be greater than getting an american girl doll that looks just like you at 6! But I hope that someday the message goes deeper and stay with you. As you enjoy your presents, I hope that you will be able to look back at these days for their unconditional love and warmth, and celebration of you.