6

I cannot believe I'm writing this post.  I have a six year old.  I can't even really call her a preschooler any more, though technically that term expired on her birthday last year.  I am coming to grips with the fact that we have aged out of day-time lessons and classes.  As well as the fact that I should expect to hear many more questions when I'm out and about during the school year with my entire brood.  Cora, however, could not be more thrilled with her new age and maturity.  

What's new crazy girl?

You've finally lost your first tooth.

Little lady, you're a bit of an enigma to me.  You can be a bit on the dramatic side...wonder where you got that trait?!  But, losing a tooth was the simplest thing in the world.  You were so excited after your bath one night as you explained to me how your tooth was really loose all of the sudden.  I asked if you wanted me to pull it, and the answer was an emphatic no.  But, not five minutes later, I heard you scream from the bathroom "Mom, something AWESOME just happened!"  Sure enough, there was that tooth right in your hands.  Seems that you're much braver than I give you credit for!  After a quick text letting the tooth fairy know that he needed to pick up some cash on the way home from choir practice, we inaugurated the tooth fairy pillow with that precious little token of your vanishing babyhood.  I love seeing that sweet gapped grin.  

You are a reading, writing, calculating machine.  We finished our first year of homeschooling and Classical Conversations.  It was an adventure to say the least, but you seem to have come out of it with a solid foundation in reading and math.  You have recently come to the realization that you like to read everything around you - birthday cards, signposts, menus at restaurants, the caller id.  Also, you love to send e mails and to text.  I remember coming into the kitchen and seeing you and Carys huddled over my phone sending a text to Daddy.  Here's a sample from a couple of months ago.  I had to translate a little (my cheats are in parentheses), but over all I'm pretty excited at her progress.  I know it's fun for her daddy to get these texts, too. 

I'm really looking forward to Cora ISD starting up again in a few weeks.  Now that we have our first year under our belt, I'm anticipating you taking leaps and bounds in your schooling.

This year, you've really started to develop your preferences especially in sports.  You and your sister received a basketball goal from Santa this year, and while you enjoy playing basketball, your real preference, most ironically, seems to be baseball.  You love to play baseball every night after dinner.  You've even become quite the critic of your dad's and my pitching.  I probably am the one who most often hears, "Whoa! That was a ball!" You've also learned to ride a bike again to the huge surprise of this mamacita.  I expected it to be a huge dramatic saga, but it turns out, you just decided to hop on a bike at a friend's house this year.  And, that was that.  You received your very own two wheeler for your birthday last month.  This year we've been concentrating on you becoming a proficient swimmer, but you also took your first dance lessons.  While you enjoyed the lessons, I could tell that your favorite part by far was singing the songs.  Still, I was so proud of you up there on stage.  

Speaking of singing, you are quite the diva.  I love to hear your sweet voice - even if it is singing the same song for the thousandth time that day.  Like everyone else in the world, it seems, you love Frozen.  You've learned each of the songs and love to sing them all.  It was a big thrill for you when Daddy let you record yourself singing several of the songs.  My favorite, by far, is when you sing "Love is an Open Door" with Daddy.  I love the innocence with which you sing that silly little song.  Melts my heart every time! (Note: to see the youtube clip, you will have to watch on a pc.)

You have grown much more tolerant of foods.  I think this is because you have discovered dessert.  You will suffer through almost anything in order to have a couple of oreos or some chocolate ice cream.  Like almost every other kid in the US, your favorite food is pizza.  You absolutely love pizza from Little Ceasar's.  If it's been a few weeks since we've had it, I often hear, "I sure do love pizza from Little Ceasar's, Mom."  Subtlety is not your strong suit.  You also love fruit, carrots, peanut butter, and sticks (otherwise known as chow mein noodles).  

You remain a very caring and enthusiastic big sister.  You are so patient and kind with Carys.  You love teaching her and helping her with her speech.  I was so proud of you the other night when Daddy and I were busy with a chore that needed to be finished.  I asked you to help Sissy with the bedtime routine and to read her a story and to say your prayers.  You were so sweet with her. I loved peeking in on you and seeing you read to her.  She was watching you with such love.  Those kinds of moments bless me so! Most of your mothering energy is concentrated on Jackson.  You were thrilled when you realized you were able to pick him up.  You love helping him and cuddling him.  And, the feeling is pretty much mutual with both siblings.  They adore you, too.  I love to hear you talk about the future.  Right now, your goal is to grow up and get married and be a mommy.  You told me that when you grow up and get married, you would like to have a house with a toaster oven.  I'm pretty sure that can be arranged, sweet girl!  I know that your sweet nature will make you a wonderful wife and mother.  

There is so much more that I could go into and share, but just know, sweet girl, that I love you so.  You are my best Cora, and I'm thankful that God chose me to be your mommy.