Six

Dearest Mia,

Next week you start Kindergarten and you are SO ready! As if that weren't exciting enough, you also have your 6th birthday next week. We are all very excited for this next stage. You have grown up a lot this year, and you've had a lot of firsts. Your enthusiasm, curiosity and joie de vivre are infectious. People are always commenting on how you never stop smiling. We are so very proud of you. Here are some fun facts about you at almost-six:

• You lost your first tooth this year (actually, you lost two). Mami is going to miss those baby teeth.
• You don't seem to need Canela (the stuffed bear) quite as much anymore. In fact, you specified that we leave her behind on a recent vacation to Florida! 
• You learned how to tell a joke, and about the importance of delivery and comedic timing. 
• You learned to ride your bike without training wheels! Hurray!

• You learned to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for yourself.
• You made friends playing little league soccer, your first team sport! And you even scored a couple goals.
• Daddy taught you how to grow vegetables in our garden.

• You had your first pen pal (Mimi). 
• Lately you seem to have an inner struggle about doing and liking "big girl" things, but you have unequivocally decided that "Dora the Explorer is for babies."
• Your favorite book series is "The Magic Tree House." 
• You are still an EARLY riser.
• A couple of weeks ago you went to New York with daddy and saw "Annie," your first BROADWAY musical. It blew you away. You are playing the soundtrack and singing along, NONSTOP. More NY photos here.

Feliz cumpleanos, miamor! Thank you for making our lives brighter. We love you.