Charli Reece are you really 6? I can't even believe it, I really can't. I don't know how that happened so fast. You bring so much happiness to my life, we are all more than happy to celebrate you, and that we did! We went to the same cook in front of you we have taken you since your first birthday. We celebrated with lots of family and lots of friends throughout the week. We celebrated so much that the night before your actual birthday I said to you, "Charli your birthday is tomorrow, today is the last day you are going to be 5," to which Danica in complete distress blurts out, "It's Charli's birthday again!!!!!"
It was quite a few weeks of celebrating. Your big birthday party this year was at California Pizza Kitchen with 36 friends! WOW you have so many friends and they had a great time. Every one got to pick an apron (dog groomer, grocery store clerk, chef, beauty salon, hardware store, doctor) it was so fun and so colorful. We toured the restaurant and got to go behind the scenes. Then everyone made their very own pizza. We had a leprechaun cut out so I took an individual picture of each friend as a leprechaun for their thank you card. It was so fun. Then we finished with cake and ice cream. This year your cake was.... drum roll please.....UNICORNS! ( and the crowd goes wild) It really was such a great time and you received so many amazing gifts that focused on crafting so that was really awesome. I thought the birthday outfit you picked out was spectacular, it was a beautiful long, light green dress, with pink flowers and you picked the Chef apron. For the record, Danica picked the Doctor apron. You wore a birthday girl official ribbon, and my dear you looked fabulous, with a 4 leaf clover painted on your check from cupcakes for the cause a day before. You made sure I loaded your cake up with princess candles and I did just that. Danica was in complete admiration watching you blow out your candles, it was a really special day for a REALLY special girl.
I am now completing this post 2 months later, where did the time go! Let me see, I know... crafting, gymnastics, piano lessons, stem classes, soccer, cheerleading, riding your bike, planting flowers, going to parties, playing with friends, and ICE SKATING. And how could I forget, Kindergarten! Open house, the seed packing event, field day, Dads and donuts, moms and muffins. We have done so much that each day the calendar has something new for us to do. We even went for a dinner cruise on Aunt Ter's pontoon in the middle of the week! We are so busy having so much fun! You have done nothing more since the day you graced this world with your presence than amaze us, and at 6 you just keep getting more amazing! This past weekend was your gymnastics show and you were unbelievable! You moved up to an elite level and you showed everyone why! A back walk over- what?! Charli you are so awesome and your toe pointing and poses are on point, you are definitely a star. You have set your goals high on wanting to be an ice skater so honey you are now an ice skater! The most determined I have seen. Since you stepped (fell on the ice) you have your eye on the prize. You are mind over matter by far. You see yourself as an ice princess so I know you will be one. In your first classes you are already starting to spin- if you can see it you can be it you can do it. I have always said you make me believe that first hand because that is what you do.
You have taught me so many things- like new handshakes, we do our secret one every morning when I drop you off to CARE. You have taught me new rhymes including one about going to Mexico- Dad and I think we need to change some of the words though...... also about the middle finger.... yep we don't use that one. You have had to tell some boys you can be friends, but can't have a boyfriend. We have come along way from your throwing shoes on the bus with Shiv! You wear your emotions on your sleeve so there is no hiding when you do or attempt to do something wrong. We also know the rule of keeping our hands to ourselves and you know what to do if anything happens. We have our own 9-11 cheer!
Food groups include a lot of carbs- like noodles, pizza, pancakes, cereal, bread, yogurt---you are a picky eater, but when it comes down to it, you really are a healthy eater, broccoli is a house fave.
Let me not forget to mention our own family shows, "Now taking the floor....Charli" (we love all your shows) I really like when Eric changes your names (George, Jessee).
You are exceptional in school and earned more paws...oh and did I mention you were a top fundraiser for jump rope for heart and helping others, that is just great honey. All these lessons you are teaching me, and how you can read now and add and subtract, and new hairstyles, and clothing choices it is the coolest! You are by far the coolest. Now if we can just get you up in the morning without a struggle, stay in your own bed all night, like brushing your teeth, clean your room, help with laundry...you know what in the long run I am thinking about winning the war, I will pick and choose my battles.
The fact that you love us the most, that you want to hug and kiss us, and spend all your time with your family is all the matters. You give the best hugs and I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. You say to the moon and back and I say to the moon and back to infinity now and forever.
Bring on summer and first grade!
