SIX!

Brooklynn, I can't believe you're six. In so many ways I feel like we're equals. You inspire me with your ability to do the hardest things, you keep me tender by reminding me what is most important (quite literally), you help me learn by asking me 100 questions a day about things I haven't stopped to consider. We are always online, looking up your questions and watching videos and learning. Yesterday we researched why some leaves are fuzzy, and others are smooth, something I've gone my whole life not ever wondering. Turns out the answer is an amazing lesson on adaptation, climate, and plant anatomy! You notice details and don't ever let them just slip away, you wonder, and think, and come back to them all the time with that amazing brain of yours.

Your go-to phrase right now is "I have a hypothesis!" and then you'll rattle off something you've been considering and questioning inside until an explanation has formed and you're ready to declare it to the world. You have a profound ability to connect the newest things you've learned together in coherent patterns. As we add to your spelling list, you'll shout with joy as you find those words in the books you're reading. You'll point out to me homophones, sometimes dozens each day, and often in places that even have me thinking. Yesterday as we were doing your school work I said "okay, number two" and you immediately responded "Two is a homophone mom! Like you're going to somewhere, and two, number two!". Which, simply put, is brilliant, and yet only one of a dozen you pointed out that day. You love the word "miscommunication" and you make sure to articulate exactly when you think we're having one. You have an amazing ability to work through stressful situations. You know how to breathe, and ask for a "moment to calm down" and come back to the situation with your "thinking brain on".

You stretch me and teach me every single day. I love that you love life. You never miss a moment of beauty, you make sure to point out the changing colors on the leaves and the perfect temperature outside. You dance. Everywhere. Always in stores. Often at home. You sing as long as you are okay with who is listening. You love cookie dough. You work so hard. I don't know anyone except your dad who knows how to dig in like you do and stay focused on something with such diligence. You love to make people laugh. You love to help people feel loved. Five times a day in the car the following conversation plays out:"Mom?" "what?" "I love you." Just like that. You love to cuddle. You, blanket, dad, for hours if you could.

You have mastered learning. You can't ever get enough. Your best days are the days that are structured and full of learning. At first I thought reading at 3 meant it was your forte. Little did I know how well you'd take to math. Six years old, able to do multiplication, and eager for the next lesson in all areas. Learning is your passion and I get to be the lucky one who watches you go on this amazing ride.

In violin we've earned your full bow! Book 2 started for us a few weeks ago, and suddenly tone and music are streaming through you like you're playing on a full size instrument. You are always listening, always asking what the classical music playing on the radio is about. Stories and imagination color your whole world.

Your active imagination is with you forever, I'm afraid. With Grandmother Linda and myself both totally in the same boat, there's not much hope for you. Last week you couldn't sleep all night because you were so afraid of the storyline from a Curious George that Blake watched. The innocence is something that I love, it keeps you young, when so many other parts of you seem so old.

We have moved 4 times in the last 18 months, and each time you've adjusted perfectly. You have an amazing ability to make friends and bring light to everyone around you. When your Primary teacher asked your class to each write down 5 things about yourselves to share, you wrote:
1. I'm good at making friends
2. I'm brave
3. I play the violin
4. I golf
5. I like making cookies.
I loved this list, especially the first two. You ARE brave, and you ARE amazing at making friends.

Thank you Brooklynn, for being my little girl. All the time I find I'm hoping that I'm enough for you, this enormous amazing person that you are and you are becoming. I feel that very soon it will be you leading me, not the other way around. But until then, I'm so grateful for the way your little hand fits into mine as we walk to the park. I treasure everything about you.

Love,
Mom