(written October 3rd)

Kaya Rose,

I cannot even believe you are six years old. SIX! Where has all that time gone, sweet girl? I’ve watched you grow from a baby, to a toddler, and now into a little lady. You seem grown up in so many ways, and although I know you’re still young, all I can think about how fast those six years have gone. Six more years from now, and you’ll be on the brink of the teen years and going to Young Women’s at church instead of Primary. Yet another six years, and you’ll be 18 and likely heading off to college. Knowing that we’re a third of the way to you being a real adult is almost mind-boggling. I know one day, I’m going to look back and feel like all this growing has happened in the blink of an eye.

But for now, you’re still just six. At this age, you still play all day long. Your stuffed animals are real to you, and they’re some of your best pretend friends. Yes, you still take your Kitty (“Meowy”) everywhere and need her in order to go to sleep each night. You still think dancing around like crazy with your mom is cool, and you love it when Daddy carries you around or picks you up. It’s easy to make your eyes light up and your smile beam with any kind of surprise or gift. You have a strong desire to do good and help others, as well as a childlike innocence that I hope you’ll keep forever.

We still limit television and media a lot, but when we do watch something, we’ve tried out some “new” things, so you have a lot of current favorites: Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger, Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, Blue’s Clues, and The Big Comfy Couch.

You love dancing around to music, whether it’s country (you have a slight obsession with Old Dominion), old 80s hits (like “Take On Me“), songs by Elmo, the Laurie Berkner Band, or the Mother Goose Club. You frequently try to play the piano, and you pretend to be the Primary Chorister at least a few times per week. You just love enjoying music together.

You are so creative, and your passion for making things is inspiring. On any typical day, you’ll write several short letter or notes and draw countless pictures. You love making videos and taking pictures with your camera, and I love seeing how you view the world. (“Our Family, May 2018)

You begged and begged to learn how to crochet, so Grandma Gina brought a round loom for you so you could make a baby hat. You had a little help, but completed the majority of it yourself in about three days.

Homeschool is your favorite. You are amazing at reading (and from what I can tell, you’re far above grade-level). You know what we need to do each day, and you’re diligent in getting your work done. You always tell me that you want to do homeschool forever, and while I can’t make any definite promises, I’d love to keep teaching you and having that extra time together for as long as we possibly can. It’s been especially fun since you learned how to write and spell commonly-used words. We find notes from you under our pillows all the time.

You are responsible. You complete your chores each week, and you almost always do it with a happy attitude. As the oldest of four girls, you often take on the role of a “little mommy”. You watch out for your sisters’ safety and compliance with the house rules, help them when they’re too little to do something, read books to them any chance you get, and even request to change their diapers. You help pack up our bags for church on Sunday mornings, feed Scout breakfast every day, and make sure that Eve is never crying. You are amazing at serving our family, and honestly, everyday life would be a lot harder without your help.

You still have nap/quiet time each day, but you typically won’t sleep for more than an hour any more, if at all. When you don’t sleep, you end up a little cranky for the rest of the day, so I feel like you still need that rest.

You’ve lost two of your baby teeth already.

You keep changing what you want to be when you grow up, but currently, it’s a veterinarian and a mommy. A girl after my own heart! You love animals of all kinds, so I could definitely see you having a job that involves them.

Your family (especially your sisters) are your whole world. They are so important to you, and they all look up to your example and admire you.

Spaghetti (with Grandma Debbie’s sauce recipe) is still your favorite food.

We still call you your nickname, “Peeky”, sometimes.

You’re quiet and reserved in public, but at home, you talk and ask questions all day long. You are a sweet and sensitive soul who requires great gentleness and understanding. This also makes you extremely caring and loving, especially when it comes to helping your sisters. They will often look to you for a hug, kiss, or cuddle when they get hurt or feel sad.

You and I understand each other. We think in much the same way and thrive on routine. Our love language is giving and receiving gifts, so we often love surprising each other.

You’ve really bonded with your Primary teachers (especially those who you had for Sunbeams), Sister G. and Sister H. You hug them every week, and you like Sister G. so much that you even chose to sit with her instead of us one day. She might be the only person you’d leave our side for besides your Grandparents.

Kaya, you have taught me so much in your short six years. You’ve shown me what unconditional love is, and how to freely give it to others. As I continue learning the best way to parent, you’ve given me forgiveness, and proven that one does not need to be perfect to deserve love.We love you so much, Kaya!