Brianne,
It is hard to believe but the 2015 year is nearly over. It seems like yesterday we were celebrating your 5th birthday and now we are already preparing for your 6th birthday. Over this past year you've gone on many new adventures, nurtured your key characteristics, and grew in ways we'd never imagined.
The year began with you still in Pre-K. You enjoyed that opportunity to an extent we couldn't imagine. As your teacher constantly pushed you to write in a journal, learn sight words, begin phonics, and push the boundaries of how high you could count; you withstood it all. You stepped up and continuously worked hard and came out a well taught preschooler. Seeing you graduate with a huge smile on your face just certified that Mommy and I made a good decision to enroll you in Pre-K. You gained more than an education, you gained socializing skills, friends, both students and teachers, and you gained confidence.
Your 5th birthday party was one enjoyed by all. I mean, who doesn't like waffles? And you did more than just waffles, you had sausage and ham, and everyone loved it! The kind hearted person you are, just wanted to be able to spend a few hours eating and enjoying the company of friends and family. You felt a waffle party would be wonderful way to celebrate turning 5, we can only imagine what might be up your sleeve for turning 6.
Summer was an adventure. From hiking in Hocking Hills with your Uncle Andrew, Aunt Missy, Grandma Tam and Papa Jim, to visiting the Wilds via a Safari Bus tour, and let's not forget Big Muskie where you attempted to scale its massive coal shoveling scoop. You had one adventure to the next and you attacked it head on. You are one adventurous little girl and I anticipate you will continue to build your adventurous streak as you continue to grow. When hiking in Hocking Hills, you were eager to lead the pack, and lead you did. There were maybe a handful of times that you were not at the front leading the way on each trail. I really hope you take that feeling of leadership and pursue it to new heights as you progress in your education. It will lend to you well and you will do great things if your nurture it now.
Not only do you poccess leadership qualities, but you are a caring person too. Amongst many of your prayers are your friends. Asking for their protection, healing, and overall safe-being. You enjoy every play date you have with them immensely, write notes to give to them the next time you see them, and cherish their involvement in your life. You anxiously await when you will see them again, will it be at church, at our house, at their house, at school? You hold your friends close to your heart and as parents, it is endearing to see that. We can't wait too see what sort of connections you will make as you continue to grow.
Speaking of which, you shot up like a weed this year, blasting through various clothing sizes and losing teeth along the way. I believe you lost 5 teeth this year! As you grow you've been tackling more responsibilities. From helping make your own breakfast, to washing yourself at bath time, you're trying a variety of new tasks. I'd love to see you take these responsibilities and give them a good honest try. Some days you do, other times you claim it is too difficult before you even try to do it. We know what you are capable of and would like you to realize your abilities too. Take our word for it, you can do it; if you put your mind to it.
The summer ended, as soon as it began, and Kindergarten started up before we all knew it. School was every day all day and you tackled it like a champ. The very first day of school, you showed little apprehension, you walked into the gym, sat with your classmates, and waited patiently to be excused to your classroom. You were barely able to contain your excitement as Mommy and Daddy worked hard to hold back our tears as we let you go for an entire day. The excitement on your face after the first day was over, was well worth the anxiety we felt as your parents. The amount you have learned since Day 1 of Kindergarten has been amazing. We can hardly believe how well you are able to read and we're excited at how well you have been doing your homework and the time you take to try and complete a task on your own before asking for help (funny how you will give everything a good try when it comes to school, but not to the additional responsibilities we encourage you to take on).
This past year, your care for your brother has really shown too. Although you have always had a knack for bossing him around, you've taken to helping him this past year, encouraging him to do things on his own or with a bit of your own help. Sometimes it is comical to see you encourage him, as you push him to be more independent, other times it is endearing. Either way, it is nice to see you encouraging him, instead of fighting with him.
In this coming year, I'm hopeful that you will continue to show leadership, that you will continue to grow in confidence and that you will start to take on additional responsibilities. We look forward to see your progression through the rest of Kindergarten and the beginning of 1st grade. We can only imagine what new and interesting things you will learn and how you will utilize your knowledge through the next chapter of your life.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
