FIVE

Five cheers for my beautiful girl - she rocks my world!

Dear Rowan,
On your fifth birthday, I am reminded of the day you were born.  The day that changed me forever.  It seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at the same time.  I barely remember what my life was like without you in it. 

At five years old, you are an incredible image of life.  It's impossible to summarize all the things that make up the wonderful and magnificent Rowan...but here are a few of my favorite parts of you...

• You love to create.  You'll spend hours painting, stamping, gluing, cutting, taping, building....creating things for yourself, your friends, and your family (though, you are certainly more into the process than the finished product).
• You enjoy being active and learning to move your body in new ways.  You have been practicing your headstands recently (getting close!) and this summer you learned to hula hoop.  You can't wait to go skiing this winter.  You scare the crap out of me when you ride your bike down the hill by our house (so fast!). You hiked 5 1/2 miles (twice!) this summer.  You have been practicing flips on the trampoline. Oh - and the new favorite - monkey bars...you've certainly got those wired!
• When it comes to learning, you are a sponge.  Right now, you are learning to add.  You can add 5 + 2 and 4 + 6 and even 7 + 12.  When we are on long car rides, you'll say "mom, can we do math?" - yes, Rowan, we can!  Just recently you have been experimenting with what happens when you have 5 peas and you eat 2.  
• You and Charlie have the most amazing relationship.  It's been incredible watching your relationship with him grow this past year.  You truly enjoy playing with him and involving him in every aspect of your life.  You have fun together, you protect him, he looks up to you. 
• Your favorite afternoon activity is having playdates with friends.  You'll play for hours and typically prefer to play with just one friend at a time.  You like to pretend - your favorite games are "mama-baby" and "hospital." 
• Like most kids your age, you live in the moment.  It's all about right now...not tomorrow, not yesterday, not later.  It's refreshing for us adults...after all, "now" is all we really have.  What a great teacher you are.
  
• Last, but not least, you are a good listener (yes, really!), you have respect for other people, and you are usually impressively patient.

Here's to 5 years of wonder, adventure, love, spunk, and magic.  

How did I get so lucky?