The Davis Group: Charlotte Grace

My big girl,

For years, we've talked about all the things you'll do when you turn 5 - the most exciting and most anticipated event was riding the school bus. Unfortunately, we live 2 blocks from school, so you'll actually walk this fall but maybe there'll be field trips. You also have said for years that you'd learn to ice skate when you turned 5. You actually learned to do that just before your 5th birthday. You said you'd learn to climb a tree. And right you were. You spend hours hanging from the tree in our back yard every day. Your last goal is to get bunk beds. We've got some time to work on that.

I found the 4-year-old year to be a little sassy for my liking. I was surprised to see that 4 is the age where girls become inclusive (and therefore exclusive). It's only been a few weeks, but so far, I am loving 5.

Pulling 3 siblings. Uphill.

You have a loving heart. You think of others and come up with ways to assist those in need. You frequently bring toys up from rest time to say "I have another one similar to this, you can give this one to another kid." For mothers' day, you told me "I was thinking I could get you a salad bar so then any time you want salad, we'd have it for you." I have wished repeatedly since then, that we could actually purchase one for our home. You are generous, especially with your brother. You save him snacks and bring him toys and he loves you for this. You and your sister are buddies. You two are empowered by each other to do things you wouldn't do separately...like explore new places, speak to new friends or cover an entire bathroom in pink toothpaste. You are adaptable and generous. When discussing foster care and implementing it, you are creative and excited about helping other children.

Loving like Jesus using the first
aid kit you put together in church

You have had a major gross motor growth spurt. In the past couple of months, you've learned to cross the monkey bars, mastered new gymnastic skills, and can even ride a two-wheeler...fast. I'm hoping this is the summer you learn to swim.

You have made many new friends in the neighborhood who will travel with you to kindergarten. You have started to refer to your "best friend, Laurel" and my heart rejoices. I have anxiously waited for you to have a best friend. There's something extra sweet about that one special relationship. I hope it continues for years and years. And Laurel has a little sister Cailin's age and another one Matthew's age so this could become a whole family affair.

Another "big kid" milestone you've reached is reading. You started last summer and can now spell most any word (phonetically) and can read a wide variety of books. It's fabulous to watch you read to your brother and sister. And it's just impressive to see you read independently. It's slightly inconvenient when Daddy and I are trying to make plans without your input though. One example: while at Disney World, we were discussing where to go next and Daddy said, "there's the C-O-A-S-T-E-R..." and you yelled "Roller Coaster!! I want to go there!"

We spent your 5th birthday in the most magical place on earth: Walt Disney World! What a perfect way to spend a birthday. Characters and staff were constantly wishing you a Happy Birthday and Mickey Mouse even sent you balloons! You'd even met Elsa and Anna before 9 AM. We know how hard you work and how proud we should be. It was wonderful for us to be able to celebrate you and give you a very special birthday adventure.

We love you big girl and you impress us regularly with your energy, your smarts, your skills and your heart.

Happy 5th birthday Charlotte Grace!

All the love,
Mama