And Then She Was Five!
Dear Everly,
Five years ago, something happened that changed my and Papa's lives forever - you were born, and just like that, we became grandparents! (And GRAND it has indeed been!) Because you were our first, there were lots of grandparent things to learn, and you were and continue to be a masterful teacher. With all great learned things, the easiest and most enjoyable subjects are the ones that you love. And Papa and I have been passionate, eager students of our Everly Elizabeth since before you took your first breath!
You are a fascinating mix of so many interesting things. You are into putting on fashion shows and nail painting with a different color on every single fingernail and toenail. And while your nail polish dries, it would be great if we can go out and find a few dried locust shells in the yard. Roly-poly bugs are cool, and so are big hair bows and frilly dresses with detailed smocking. Helping Milly cut roses from the bushes with your own scissors is one of your self-assigned "jobs" at my house, but so is flopping down on the couch to watch a good movie. Bubble beards in the bathtub are just as much fun as faceprinting at birthday parties. Your imagination continues to amaze us all. You utilize your "leadership skills" to draw all of us into your fantasy worlds of farm animals, having and delivering babies (?), visiting Mary and Baby Jesus, etc.
You have a big heart, and that shines brightest with your little sister Janie. You're patient and sweet to her. You try to teach her big girl stuff, and you give big hugs and model respect and manners for her. (Okay, all of that may seem as though you're just about perfect, but we'll say that's you 85% of the time. :) Janie sure knows how to push a girl's buttons, but you handle yourself pretty well!) You also have a big heart for your cousins, and this year, God added two BOY cousins to your family! No problem - you certainly know how to love them big! You're gentle, caring, and thoughtful with your Nana. And you're affectionate, funny, silly, entertaining, and endearing to your grandparents. (I think Mommy and Daddy are pretty crazy about you, too! In fact, Mommy treated you to your first big girl pedicure the other day, and all I could see in her eyes was love for her little chickie!)
You're really good at swimming. (In fact, this year, you got super brave and tackled the diving board - no fear there!) And you got in a lot of practice in the pool and at the beach when you visited Port A with your family. Your Daddy has introduced you to surfing and stand-up paddle-boarding, and you love to tell us about "catching waves" and how much fun your boogie board is!
At four years old, you took every girl's dream vacation and spent days and days hobnobbing with every princess known to mankind at Disney World! I would say you have that royalty gig down pretty good! There are the perfectly clasped hands, the sweetheart smile, the coy eyelash fluttering, the VERY royal curtsies, and the graceful dances - you are the consummate princess, and you have the costumes to prove it!
We looked for shy bones, but there's not one in your entire body! You're great at making new friends and keeping old ones. You started a new school this year, and it didn't take long for you to learn everyone's name and to draw them into your happy circle. Family friends and their children are really only "family" to you - you're so quick to love and spread joy!
And you know me - I love to spend a little time talking with you about Jesus and God's Word. It makes my heart happy to hear you recite your memory verses and to share "the gospel truth" in a video. Our recent reading and conversation about Zaccheus - the man who didn't have any friends - and Jesus Who loved him anyway - well, it was pretty sweet to see how your heart was so concerned for the "wee little man" and how happy you were that Jesus wanted to be his friend. One of my prayers for you and for your cousins is that God will make each of you hungry to learn, know, and share His Word because you love Him so much. I've got big news for you, birthday girl - I already see that He's answering my prayer...
Always loving you will all of my heart,
Milly
Five years ago, something happened that changed my and Papa's lives forever - you were born, and just like that, we became grandparents! (And GRAND it has indeed been!) Because you were our first, there were lots of grandparent things to learn, and you were and continue to be a masterful teacher. With all great learned things, the easiest and most enjoyable subjects are the ones that you love. And Papa and I have been passionate, eager students of our Everly Elizabeth since before you took your first breath!
You are a fascinating mix of so many interesting things. You are into putting on fashion shows and nail painting with a different color on every single fingernail and toenail. And while your nail polish dries, it would be great if we can go out and find a few dried locust shells in the yard. Roly-poly bugs are cool, and so are big hair bows and frilly dresses with detailed smocking. Helping Milly cut roses from the bushes with your own scissors is one of your self-assigned "jobs" at my house, but so is flopping down on the couch to watch a good movie. Bubble beards in the bathtub are just as much fun as faceprinting at birthday parties. Your imagination continues to amaze us all. You utilize your "leadership skills" to draw all of us into your fantasy worlds of farm animals, having and delivering babies (?), visiting Mary and Baby Jesus, etc.
You have a big heart, and that shines brightest with your little sister Janie. You're patient and sweet to her. You try to teach her big girl stuff, and you give big hugs and model respect and manners for her. (Okay, all of that may seem as though you're just about perfect, but we'll say that's you 85% of the time. :) Janie sure knows how to push a girl's buttons, but you handle yourself pretty well!) You also have a big heart for your cousins, and this year, God added two BOY cousins to your family! No problem - you certainly know how to love them big! You're gentle, caring, and thoughtful with your Nana. And you're affectionate, funny, silly, entertaining, and endearing to your grandparents. (I think Mommy and Daddy are pretty crazy about you, too! In fact, Mommy treated you to your first big girl pedicure the other day, and all I could see in her eyes was love for her little chickie!)
You're really good at swimming. (In fact, this year, you got super brave and tackled the diving board - no fear there!) And you got in a lot of practice in the pool and at the beach when you visited Port A with your family. Your Daddy has introduced you to surfing and stand-up paddle-boarding, and you love to tell us about "catching waves" and how much fun your boogie board is!
At four years old, you took every girl's dream vacation and spent days and days hobnobbing with every princess known to mankind at Disney World! I would say you have that royalty gig down pretty good! There are the perfectly clasped hands, the sweetheart smile, the coy eyelash fluttering, the VERY royal curtsies, and the graceful dances - you are the consummate princess, and you have the costumes to prove it!
We looked for shy bones, but there's not one in your entire body! You're great at making new friends and keeping old ones. You started a new school this year, and it didn't take long for you to learn everyone's name and to draw them into your happy circle. Family friends and their children are really only "family" to you - you're so quick to love and spread joy!
And you know me - I love to spend a little time talking with you about Jesus and God's Word. It makes my heart happy to hear you recite your memory verses and to share "the gospel truth" in a video. Our recent reading and conversation about Zaccheus - the man who didn't have any friends - and Jesus Who loved him anyway - well, it was pretty sweet to see how your heart was so concerned for the "wee little man" and how happy you were that Jesus wanted to be his friend. One of my prayers for you and for your cousins is that God will make each of you hungry to learn, know, and share His Word because you love Him so much. I've got big news for you, birthday girl - I already see that He's answering my prayer...
Always loving you will all of my heart,
Milly
