Sunday, February 11, 2018

Six: A Letter to My Angel

Darling Lily,

The other morning I had a quick meeting with your kindergarten teacher and as we wrapped up the chat she told me point blank that you are such an “angelic child.” And you know what, sweet girl, she is absolutely right.
To be honest, I have been struggling trying to figure out just way to say to you this year. This is frustrating to me my love. I am a wordsmith by trade, and when it comes to your letter this year I was just at a loss for words. I look at you and I am absolutely blown away. I just cannot believe that you are six years old. But, here’s the thing, you are truly a wonder to behold.

The Oxford Dictionary defines angelic as a person “exceptionally beautiful, innocent or kind.” And while I believe you are beautiful, it’s the kindness of your spirit that has impressed your teacher this year. Your father and I have always seen this, but there is something so mature in your compassion, humanity and consideration. You love all people. You see grace in every opportunity. You give honest and authentic compliments. You pick up trash at the park.You offer true forgiveness. You listen, you are polite, and you are generous with gifts – treasures you find, pictures you create, books you read. 

Lily, one of the things that I love about being your mother is that you teach me daily how to be kind. Every day you remind me that kindness and love is something we are required to do. A few weeks ago, after ballet class, a little girl was upset. She was crying about losing her sticker from her theater class. And you, my love, marched right up to her, knelt down to her level, and offered your sticker from ballet.

We are taught that kindness is smiling at the neighbors, bringing dinner to a new mom, offering a seat on the bus to the elderly. Random acts of kindness, we say. Small. Unassuming Sensible. But, my love, what you are teaching me is that we are taught wrong. There is nothing small, unassuming or sensible about kindness. The thing about kindness is that requires vulnerability. It is a gift of connection, an ability to truly see others, a generous offering of our own self. It cannot be done strategically. It cannot be done sensibly. You remind me that kindness is something we are required to do all the time, in small measures and large, this offering ourselves to others. We can give stickers and service; we can give greeting cards and grace.
At six year old, you are a joy to be with. I love that you are obsessed with all things Harry Potter. I love that you are constantly practicing the piano. I love that you spend the afternoons practicing your spells and creating new “potions”. I love that you have memorized long passages of Pippi Longstocking and Ramona the Pest. I love that you spend the majority of your day immersed in pretend play. I love that you have fallen in love with bike riding.  I love that you start and end our daily dinner prayer – even on nights when you are sad or frustrated. I love that you stick your tongue out when you think. I love that you are constantly dancing. I love that you infused love and laughter into each and every day.

I love you more than all the stars in the sky and all the water in the ocean. 

Love, Momma 

Sunday, February 04, 2018

A Questionnaire: SIX!

Last Tuesday was Lily's birthday. In lieu of a babybook, I ask the following the following 20 questions to my birthday girl (starting with the third birthday). You can see previous answers here and here and hereSo, the other afternoon, I fired away: 
  1. What is your favorite color: hot pink or maybe just regular pink 
  2. What is your favorite toy: karaoke microphone  
  3. What is your favorite fruit: oranges 
  4. What is your favorite movie: Cinderella (this will be a forever favorite) 
  5. What is your favorite thing to wear: fancy dresses or regular dresses with leggings  
  6. What is your favorite animal: dogs and cats 
  7. What is your favorite song: Britney Spears (she especially loves singing Britney Spears on her karaoke microphone) 
  8.  What is your favorite book: Harry Potter (We've been working our way through the illustrated copies of the series and she is obsessed)  
  9. Who is your best friend: Simone and my sisters. Freya and Merit.  
  10. What is your favorite breakfast: daddy's chocolate chip pancakes (Note: this tradition started several years ago during a marathon training session. Daddy makes pancakes on Saturday morning. As a child who thrives on routine, this cannot be deviated from and I am okay with that.)
  11. What is your favorite lunch: avocado sandwiches 
  12. What is your favorite dinner: hamburgers 
  13. What is your favorite snack: oranges or apples with peanut butter 
  14. What is your favorite dessert: rainbow cake  
  15. What do you sleep with at night: rainbow brite starlight pillow pet and a stuffed Minnie Mouse
  16. What is your favorite thing to play outside: Harry Potter (She makes potions and practices her spells. It's really the cutest thing). 
  17. What do you want for your birthday dinner: We went out to the Counter for her birthday. She ordered a burger with fancy cheese, avocado and pineapple dipped in katshup and extra crispy french fries. We went home to sing, open presents and eat her homemade Rainbow Birthday cake (featuring chocolate frosting) 
  18. What do you want to be when you grow-up: a famous ballerina chef (This has slightly evolved over the past year - she still loves art, but now she's passionate for cooking and she wants to have her own cooking show in which she dances while she cooks. If anyone could create this niche professional it will be she.) 
  19. Where is your favorite place to go: Rockin' Jump 
  20. What is your favorite game: any pretend game (Honestly, she's not a huge fan of games, as she really doesn't like to lose.) 
The birthday girl in her self-decorated kindergarten birthday crown.