Thursday, April 03, 2008

Now we are six


To my favorite girl,

Two nights ago I told you, "Tomorrow is your very last day in your whole life to be five years old!" A smile slid across your face at the thought. I know it's because you were thinking of your birthday, and all the accompanying treats and presents and attention. But I like to think you realized too what's so special about this time, this moment of passing from one year to the next.

I'm so proud of how much you've grown and learned this year. You can ride a bike and cross the monkey bars and swing a hula hoop. You can read and write and add and subtract. You love science and nature. You can even pull a tractor and direct movies!

I'm proud of the subtler things too. Just the other day when a boy I know you think is a little weird said "hello" to you on the playground, you responded politely and with a smile. You share your toys and books with your brother without complaint. You've suddenly grown aware of, and fond of, our dog (even though you're already making plans for the next pet we'll get "when she dies"--a bunny or a bichon frise).

It would take another year to sum up all the wonderful things about you and by then there will be so many more.

Happy birthday, clever girl.

The End (from the collection Now We Are Six) by A.A. Milne

When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five,
I was just alive.
But now I am Six,
I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

15 comments:

kirida said...

Awww... Please send that sweet girl my birthday wishes!

Girlplustwo said...

happy birthday, sweet girl and her mama, both.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your beautiful Jo! Tell her Mimi says that six is a GREAT year!!

xoxoxoxo

Magpie said...

Happy birthday! And, I love that poem.

Heather said...

Happy birthday to your new 6-year-old!

jodifur said...

happy b-day

Anonymous said...

Happy, HAPPY birthday to Jo! All five of us wish her a wonderful year, and we're so excited to see her again soon!

Julie Pippert said...

Happy 6 to her!

You know, I don't know if I've ever told my children to pause and soak in the end, then say goodbye and let it go.

Must do...

We get so fixated on exciting next round the bend...

Amy said...

May she be six in your heart for always. Happy day to you both.

Mocha said...

Happy Birthday to my little twin! Tell her I am only 10 years older than she.

You wrote the most lovely post for this. I have sweetness and light coming to me from it.

Lady M said...

SIX already? Happy Birthday, Jo!

nonlineargirl said...

Six sounds so old. I imagine it is hard to think so much time passed so quickly.

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

Awwww...happy belated birthday to your clever girl! I love A.A. Milne. Today the monkey bars, tomorrow the world!

Anonymous said...

So loving those Flat Earth chips! I like the herbed ones. So much more fun that eating broccoli.

GHD said...

What a great poem! And Six? Wow! Six is a big deal! Happy (belated) birthday, Jo! I hope your day was as wonderful and sweet as your mommy says you are :-)

Sorry for all of the belated comments and well wishes. I'm just now getting to read (and comment) on all of my favorite blogs after a brief and unintended blogging hiatus.