Georgia, my dear …
FIVE. Five is a big deal. It’s one of those birthday that
just smacks you in the face, most certainly not the birthday of a baby or a
toddler, but of a real big kid. You’ve been telling people for months that your
birthday is coming “after Halloween”. More precisely, the day after. It’s hard
to remember a time that was “pre-Georgia”, but I also still have really strong
memories of being in the hospital with you as a newborn and can’t believe 5
whole years have passed.
You are a sweet, generous, delightful child with a
blossoming sense of humor and the ability to fall ill or tired at the precise
moment you don’t want to do something. Don’t like what we’re having for dinner?
Tummy hurts. Don’t want to go to bed? Too tired to walk upstairs. It’s amazing
– it’s like all the bones in your body turn into noodles.
You love to color and make art projects and will do it all
day long if allowed. Cutting and gluing and coloring all over your hands and
the table and everything else. Also, it’s a common excuse for why you don’t
need a shower – your hands will just have marker on them again! You are very
precise and I love to hear your elaborate descriptions of what you’re making.
You continue to love packing small items into small bags or purses and then
often losing them. I found your fidget spinner the other day after many months
of it being lost – it’s like we all won the lottery! You love to play outside
with Ellen and are very fast on your scooter. It’s so fun to see you right in
the mix with the big kids, very reluctant to ever be left behind.
We are reading James and the Giant Peach right now and
recently finished The Witches. Reading Roald Dahl books with children is one
of the very best reasons to have kids. You found The Witches a bit spooky, but
persisted in finishing and now you like to play “pretend take your wig off”. I
love this snuggle time with you. I wish Ellen could always join us, but the
truth is that her evening to-do list is increasingly long, and it makes me want
to hold on even tighter to this sweet bedtime ritual.
You are so excited to join Ellen at Briarwood and I
teasingly tell you every time that you are going to be homeschooled because I
can’t bear to miss my Mommy-Georgie day. When Ellen started 3rd
grade last fall, I was pretty ready to have you join her. Now, though, I just see the
time racing by. At bedtime last night, I reminded you that you only had one day
left as a 4-year-old. You said, “It’s OK. I’ll still come to Mommy-Georgie day,
but only until I start Kindergarten”. I had to fight back the tears. And then
you called out 4 more times – “Mommy! I need to tell you something!” – which
really means you need to ask me something, and it’s always way out of left field,
making me realize we haven’t left all of that amazing toddler randomness behind
just yet.
You continue to have trouble with describing people as
“older” vs. “taller”. You, darling, are now both. You are my favorite
errand-running companion. I love the funny faces you make at me in the rearview
mirror. I love your passion for doing things yourself. You are kindhearted and
generous, often sharing without hesitation, even with your sister who may drive
you crazy. You are the worst at hiding in your room before bedtime, but I love
watching you try to disguise yourself under your covers. Strangers continue to stop us most anywhere to comment on how beautiful you are. Yes, of course you are, but you are so, so much more than that. Don't ever forget it!
So happy to celebrate you this year!
Love you,
Mommy
