Harper Claire,

We blinked and you are six. The toddler is gone and the girl is here to stay. You are smart and bold and adventurous and affectionate and your energy knows no bounds.

You are a Kindergartner. Through and through. You walk around the house on weekends with your notebook full of math problems, your journal full of new sentences, and your art bag full of canvasses. You are determined and focused and eager to learn more, more, more. We can actually see the sponge of your brain expanding each day.

You are a bright burst of energy each and every day. You wake up chatting and planning and questioning and asking and you don’t stop. You keep us on our toes and you are busy! We’ve managed to set you up with some social distanced sports this fall and you look like a teenager out there on the lacrosse field or the soccer field. You have grown so much! You are 46 inches and 51 lbs and you are strong, strong, strong. You are competitive. And fast. And passionate.

One weekend recently, you told me: “Mama, I’m so busy! I have lacrosse and soccer and dance and gymnastics and SCHOOL! But school is the best. School is my favorite.”

You love everyone. Your family, your brothers, your friends, your neighbors, your teachers, your puppies. You remember all the details about them and you share your joy with them and you beam at them when they are shining. You want to be the first and the best, and (provided you’ve already established that) you also celebrate their achievements with gusto.

You are a leader, and a mini mom to all of your younger buddies. Our younger neighbors look up to you and you soak it in and give it back in spades. You are independent and strong willed and you have serious opinions, mostly about your wardrobe (shorts, please), your hair (you cut your first bangs recently), and your movie choices (Zombies, Descendants, and other movies targeting a 13 year old audience).

You are a rule setter and a rule follower. You adapted to COVID precautions with ease and remind us and everyone around you of all the steps we need to take to keep everyone safe because of “the virus.” You had an outdoor party with a piñata on the front tree and masks and hand sanitizer and you didn’t miss a beat. Grateful and happy and content.

You like to make a plan and have a plan and stick to the plan. It’s hard for you when the plan changes. I understand, because you’re me. We are lucky we have your easy going and flexible dad around and your silly brother Roycie and his new sidekick Carter to keep things light, fun, and unpredictable for us.

Your birthday list included a dozen things that sum you up: cowboy boots, roller skates, art supplies, activity books, long dresses, jewels, a fishing tackle box, a new fishing rod, stationary, a journal, a telescope, and high heels.

You still love to cuddle. And I suddenly realized recently that some day soon you may not. So I stay longer when you ask. And last night I got misty eyed thinking about how fast these years have gone and how remarkable you’ve become.

I am so grateful that you made me a mama. We love you so much!