Dear Norah,
I can't believe you are six already! Time sure flies when you're busy living life doesn't it? It feels like just a few days ago we were waiting for you to arrive, and now here you are, a beautiful, smart and caring young lady. I won't lie, we've had some rough times you and I - age 4 was no fun, but I think we're in a good place these days. I think maybe I am starting to understand you as yourself and not as a mini me. Sure, you are like me in a lot of ways, but you're totally and completely yourself. I promise to try to remember that and to help you be the Best Norah you can be - which I am certain is amazing!
Somehow, in the past month or so, it seems like you've changed, matured, grown up and it caught me by surprise. I'm cool with it, (see above) but I was still surprised. You look older and wiser and seem to have aged over night - in a good way.
All of these pictures I've put together for you, on the occasion of your sixth birthday, were taken in the past month and to me, really captures you, at this moment in time.
As you can see, you've got a gap toothed grin, having lost your two front teeth over the past few months. The dentist said you might keep this look for a little longer than most, but Norah, it works for you! You've started asking for pigtails and braids again, after a long time. This day, you asked for a 'do like the girl from the Grinch (where that came from, I don't know) which you proceeded to bedazzle with a couple of headbands. All I can tell you, Norah is that you own this look!
Another day this same week, the request came in, on gym day, for a sporty look. Pigtails it is - this one totally works for you too, kiddo!
As fancy as you are, and as much as you love fashion and dance and bling, you're also pretty curious and brave when it comes to the outdoors. You don't care much for keeping your room tidy or housework of any sort, but you're pretty happy when you're outside - a girl after my own heart. Come to think of it, when you were very young Dad would take you walking out in the yard to soothe you. Anyway, here you are, exercising your rain boots in the driveway.
On another adventure day this crazy winter, you're rocking the snowshoes, heading over to the monkey bars for a swing. I can't wait to go out in the woods with you in the winter and show you all there is to see! I hope your sense of adventure continues to flourish!
No one loves you more than your brother. I hope you guys remain as close throughout your lives as you are these days, it really makes my heart sing to see you two playing together. I especially love when I see you looking out for Roddie, or sacrificing something - a toy, a turn, the last cookie - for him. I also am amazed at how you always seem to know what to say to him to pull him out of a tantrum, even when Dad and I can't. You give him a hug and some quiet and kind words and its like magic! He is a lucky boy!
You have a fashion sense all your own. I used to imagine dressing you in beautiful, perfectly co-ordinated outfits, but I've learned a lot since then. First of all, it's not practical. Second of all, you are your own person, and as long as you're dressed for the weather, I let you wear what you want. You actually come up with some pretty great stuff, even if it isn't always what I'd pick. I call your current phase "elementary school chic" - you don't try to copy the teenagers, yet, your looks still have a certain little girl flair that I love, but I can see a more mature look evolving. I pray that you will always have a certain flair and the confidence you have today to wear what YOU want.
You're still very artsy, you love nothing more than a good project - you're opportunistic when it comes to medium - paint, markers, beads, play-doh, crayons if you must, but here too, I'm seeing a new maturity. These days you draw things like the solar system and write books on your own. The drawings are true to life and often depict a story. Your vivid imagination also comes through in the games you play with your brother. I rarely see you guys use a toy for it's intended purpose, you always seem to combine what you have in new and imaginative ways. I hope you'll always be so imaginative and creative, wherever life takes you.
I like this picture of you because it shows many sides of you all at once.
I wish we had more time to go skating. It's something I've always liked and it makes me happy that you like it too. I am really proud of you and your skating this year - you've really taken off on your own - literally, the last time we went to the rink - but it's all you and your own determination to make it around the rink, to get faster and to keep getting up again each time you fall. I hope you always have that kind of determination to go after things you want to do.
You and your Dad have a good thing going, most of the time. I'm glad he doesn't differentiate, too much, between girl activities and boy activities, because you seem to like nothing better than to tag along with him. I have fond memories of tagging along with my dad to the bottle return place, or "helping" him out in the basement or in the yard. That set us up well for later in life, and I hope you always know that both Dad and I are always there for you. In this picture, you just caught a fish out on our lake, after dance class.
You love to dance - and bless us often with "shows" On this day, you recruited some of our friends to join with you. Laurel and Claire are younger, Rod's age, but you did a great job with them, sharing all your dance duds and running the show. I hope you never get shy about dancing in front of people... you love it so much, and I love to watch you do it.
So Norah, I think 6 is going to be a good year for you. I'm ready to watch you continue to grow and mature, just don't do it too fast - one day at a time ok?
