Bits of FIVE

She.

Always spotting and gathering flowers, even in the most unlikely of places. A talent now passed onto her younger sister.

She cannot be five.

Kindergartener. 

When she moved up to Hope's Sunday School class earlier this summer it took me so off guard, I sat in worship with fresh hot tears.

I am ready, but not.

I suppose that's the way it will always be.

The theme of mamahood can almost be encapsulated in one word: bittersweet.

But she?

Way more sweet than any bitterness can stand.

Even if I can hardly believe she's now a whole handful.

For "Maddie Day" this year, we had just returned home from a whirlwind vacation up North and honestly I was a little bit sick and a whole lot pooped.  She made a little list of things she wanted to do, per the usual, but I couldn't even really keep up with her simple requests.  Daddy saved me by whipping up birthday pancakes.  We read out of our birthday poetry book, which only comes down on July 18th and January 16th and May 10th.  We reminisced about a kissable, new, chubby little girl who stole our hearts five years ago to the day.  And then we went nowhere.

You know?

Sweet girl that she is, she didn't care one bit.  Instead she pulled out some of her new "Fancy Nancy" books until she found her favorite one about a spa.  She had just one final request.

"Can I spa you, Mommy?"

Why not?

They lathered my face in honey mixed with squished banana, stuck my feet and half my bedroom floor into a foot bath, painted my nails (and fingertips and knuckles), used half a bottle of lotion, and made me a sloppy beautiful yogurt parfait- extra blueberries and granola.  Afterwards we broke out some princess crowns and watched "Tangled."  Always fast-forwarding or closing eyes when the "old woman" falls out of the window at the end.  Then our sweet backyard neighbors met us outside for last minute brownie cake and ice-cream sundaes.

Good stuff.

As it was with the necessary catching up, we rescheduled her birthday party in the NC mountains. I was bummed and thought she would be too, but our girl understood.  So when we were all feeling better and ready to travel, I was especially excited to give her the shindig she had wanted for a full year going strong.

A princess party.

It was a royal ball.

***
Dearest Madison Elise,

Happy birthday, sweet girl!  Really, truly this past year seems to have flown by so fast.  You have blossomed into a such a little girl over the past 365 days.  I could never begin to paint a detailed enough picture of the wonder that you are, but I can give you a snapshot of you at the fresh new age of five.

You are such a student of all things beautiful.  A ceramic angel (you love those!), a sparkly decoration, a sunset, a butterfly or flower.  "Oh, isn't it so beautiful?" you can often be heard murmuring.  If I come out of the bedroom in- say- a dress or skirt, you are the first to cover me in compliments and hugs.  Because not only do you notice pretty things, but you are affectionate to match.

Your biggest sister will say, "Maddie, don't hug me SO hard!"  And you oft reply, "But I just love you SO much." Never mind her because one day she will especially recount all of those hugs with such fondness and nostalgia.  I guarantee it.:)

You love to use fancy, big words and create fancy, big (and little!) creations.  You are into "Fancy Nancy," princesses, Cynthia Rylant's "Brownie and Pearl" series, Daddy Dates, swinging (so proud to pump your own legs for height and speed!), and all kinds of old movies.  You are sure to be the one with a quivering chin if the movie has a sad part because of your tender heart.  You love to sing and twirl; this fall you are excited to take on soccer too. Your feelings can be hurt easily and you can get downright grumpy if you're hungry or tired. You enjoy snacking on frozen mango or blueberries, quesadillas, pancakes, fruit leathers, and cooked carrots.  You can eat a whole crockpot of cooked carrots. A sweet tooth?  Oh, yes! Especially if you get to wear the apron and help make the treats.
 
If I had to freeze frame one memory of you, our five year old Maddie Girl, it would be your rendition of "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" in that tiny soprano voice you've got going.  You are in a lovely dress and twirling.

Always twirling.

I know God handpicked you for our family, and I will be forever grateful.

This year we will take on kindergarten together, and I expect fabulous.

You are the queen of fabulous, after all.

Love you so.
Mama and Daddy too