You are the most logical child I have ever met. I'm amazed every day at the way your mind works. Math is easy for you because it's so black and white. The other day during your math lesson I thought the word problems might be a little difficult for you, but when I read them aloud I wasn't prepared for you to shoot back the answer without even blinking an eye. No manipulatives to count, no drawing it out on paper - just your little calculator mind. You continue to ask a bazillion questions every day about almost everything. You don't always believe what your daddy and I say if you can't understand it for yourself. This can be good and bad, Little. You can't always reason out everything in the faith. There are some things too great for us to understand. This is going to be especially hard for you, I'm afraid. But I also think that once you are convinced of the truth, nothing will be able to stop you. How I pray for that day.
I think we could call you Judge Claire because fairness is so important to you. Things must be equal, all the time. You watch portion sizes of food between your sister and yourself like a hawk. You always remember who got to go first or choose a show last time or whatever else. Rules are your lifeline. These things can also be good or bad. You can be a leader and walk with integrity and fight for justice, but remember grace, Little. Grace for others and grace for yourself.
You are the best big sister. You are truly such a great help to me. You meet needs for Owen and AK without even waiting to be asked. You have a maternal spirit, and a sensitive and compassionate heart. You are also generous and always try to think of things to give away or make for others.
You love art - drawing and coloring mostly - and you are getting really good at it. You love to watch this online art show called "Art for Kids Hub" and copy the pictures. You continue to come up with the neatest creations out of "trash". You made a pillow for AK's dolls out of a piece of felt you found lying around, and I never know what invention I will find when I leave an empty cardboard box on the floor.
You are doing so great on your bike! One thing that you and I share is a fear of trying new things. You nearly always fight against the challenge at first and refuse to try for a little while...but once you take that first step toward whatever it is, you are so dedicated and you practice and practice until you have mastered it.
You basically never get tired. I've never seen anything like it. No matter how much or little sleep you get, you are like the energizer bunny and you just don't stop. If we didn't make you go to bed at night I don't think you ever would. You come out of your room at least 10 times every night before you fall asleep. You like to listen to radio programs like Adventures in Odyssey or Your Story Hour when you go to bed, and then you always have to have music playing to go to sleep.
The other night you were having a hard time going to sleep. You had been in bed for nearly two hours when I headed down the hallway to go to bed myself, and I heard you muttering as you tried to get your music to play. I went into your room and lay down in your bed. You curled up next to me and within just a couple of minutes your breathing got more even and I just soaked in your sweetness. I shifted and you opened your eyes. "I'm almost asleep," you whispered. "Don't tell me when you leave." "I'm not leaving yet, baby," I whispered back. "I won't leave until you're ready."
And I won't, baby. But the way these years are going by so quickly, I'm afraid that you might leave before I am ready.
Happy birthday, my sweet, bright, beautiful girl!
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