On your ninth birthday

Dear Charli,

I used to write these letters for you on my blog every year for your birthday, but I can't find one since your sixth birthday! So, let's restart this tradition and hopefully, I'll be able to dig up the other posts!

I can't believe you're already 9! When you were first born, people told me how quickly it would go, and I believed them a little bit, but when you're in the middle of the newborn phase, the days drag on and on sometimes, so it's hard to visualize that far ahead in the future. But, somehow, we've flown through these years, and here we are, on the edge of double digits!

You've been doing great in 3rd grade this year! You were nervous because you said there was so much you didn't know, but your dad and I kept reminding you that you weren't supposed to know those things and that was the purpose of school! I still don't know if you believe us! 🤣 

You love PE and Art and recess. You've also said you like math and book club, which is a surprise since Gran and I beg you to read at home and you won't! You're a great reader, though, and you're great at math. Keep up the good work!

This is your third year doing Girl Scouts, and although we didn't do a lot as a troop this year because life has been busy for everyone, you've still had a lot of fun! You're also still into tumbling class and your form is getting so much better on your cartwheels! This summer, we're going to try to enroll you in a dance class, and you have theater camp for a week! I'm so excited to watch you explore these new things and see what you like!

You are still so sweet and caring, although I see a lot more of your fiery personality than I used to! You have a lot of big feelings, which leads to a lot of fussing back and forth sometimes. I promise to work on my reactions and work on being a calmer presence for you! You are very empathetic and pick up on people's emotions and feelings. I think that will be a good trait later in life, but right now it's tough because you get a little more upset about things sometimes than I think you would otherwise. I think you'll learn how to harness it as you get older, but we're going to work together on it more!

You are also super funny! Sometimes you come out with things that I don't expect, and it catches me off-guard! You love to do "try not to laugh" challenges, even though you usually end up laughing! 

You love to dance and sing and be outside. You also love to play Uno, Mario Kart, and things on your tablet. You enjoy being on the phone with your bestie while you're on your tablet, but sometimes when those big emotions get you, we have to have you take a break! You love to draw also, and your top bunk is covered with papers and a bin of markers. 

You love animals, but cats are your favorite, with dogs close behind. Your cat at Gran's is your favorite pet ever, and your dog here at home is so patient with you. Your cat is younger, so he's still learning that patience! You like to pet dogs that we see in public, and you like to look at the cats for adoption at the pet store. Unfortunately, you lost your fish this year, but maybe we can get more later on.

Little girl, you're growing up so fast, and I love watching you continue to discover things and find out more about who you are and what you like. Don't lose that spark that makes you, you. Things are going to get tougher as you get older and look more towards your friends and peers. You've already started to discover that sometimes your classmates aren't as nice as they used to be. Unfortunately, that's going to continue for the rest of your life. But, keep your close friends around you and surround yourself with people who love and support you. We'll always love and support you, and we're always there for you!

I hope this year is full of growth and excitement! We love you so much our sweet, silly, sassy, smart, brave, beautiful girl!

Love, 

Mama, Daddy, and Koopa

On your sixth birthday

Dear Charli,

Somehow you're 6! Time is flying by as you get older, and I'm not sure that I'm okay with it (as though I can control it!). 

You've had such a busy year! You started Kindergarten in August, and we weren't sure how it would go, but you have excelled! You love your teacher, your classmates, and you especially love recess! It doesn't hurt that Gran works at the school and helped you with those first few bumpy weeks. Now the only problem is that you think you're going to start first grade tomorrow because you turned 6. I'll let your teacher try to explain that one to you because my explaining hasn't worked, obviously! You were already a great reader before you started school, but I've seen that improve even more, as well as your handwriting, cutting, gluing, and math skills. Sometimes you ask so many math questions that I can't keep up with you! You're so amazingly smart, and I can't wait to see how that will develop throughout your years in school. 

You have a huge heart and personality. You're very kind and loving, even when we've had a rough time and argued with each other because we've butted heads over something (usually it's when you don't want help with something that you're struggling with). Your sassy side definitely comes out a lot for us and Gran, and that can be challenging. We'll work through it, though! 

You love your cat at Gran's house and your dog at our house, and you're starting to love other animals too, like Mimi's puppy and the dogs at your dad's work. Cats are your favorite animal, so maybe we can convince Gran to get another kitty! 😉

You love to play with your tablet and watch videos on it. You also have a really active imagination and can make up the best scenarios with your toys. You love to play outside, especially when there's water involved. That makes sense since you told me that summer is your favorite season! This year has been fun too because we got more snow than usual, so you've had a few chances to play in the snow, and once you got to bring some inside and play with it in the tub! 

We're starting to notice little signs that show you're growing up. Sometimes you'll tell us you're tired and ready to go to bed; I could've never imagined that happening when we were in toddler land and you sometimes would stay awake for hours at night. It's a very welcomed change! You're also becoming so helpful around the house and can do some chores at our house and at Gran's house. You usually love to help with anything...except picking up toys! 

We've been through a lot over the last year, and I've seen it weigh on you. I know that some things are hard to understand when you're young. Little girl, they're hard to understand when you're not as young too! But, know that your dad and I will always be here for you, and you've got so many other people who love and support you as well. We're here for you, even when you don't want us to be...ha!

I hope this year is full of fun, laughter, and loose teeth! We love you so much our sweet, silly, sassy, smart, brave, beautiful 6 year old! 

Love, 

Mama, Daddy, and Koopa

Annual birthday picture with the bib from your first birthday!