Happy 6th Birthday, Rebecca!
How time seems to fly. I'm about 3 months late in writing this letter. In the year that you were five there were several big milestones. You went from sharing a room with Ruth to a room with Kate. You travelled to Washington DC, and we moved again, when Daddy was laid off and found another job. You were able to raise chickens and lost your first tooth. You learned to read and got reading glasses. You took part in a homeschool history class and a book club. You are still a firecracker, my little fishy, Starshine (though I seldom call you that anymore). Everything you do you do with such passion and zest for life. You are my wild child with a sense of the dramatic. We have been reading the Ramona books over the last year or so, and you find a kindred spirit in her. You just love those books.
One thing that has changed this year, is that while you can laugh at yourself, you don't allow anyone else to. Earlier this week, the math books I ordered for you for next year, came in the mail, and your Daddy told you that it was a present for you. You tore into that box so excited, and the utter disappointment and shock on your face when you saw math books was hysterical. No one makes such expressive faces as you do, it's why Poppa J just loves to aggrivate you. We laughed and you informed us that it wasn't funny at all as you slammed the door and stomped off outside. You aren't as much of our class clown anymore looking to be funny. But demand that everyone listen to you "Seriously!" Your love of school hasn't decreased, though you are finding some things more difficult this year. When I asked what sort of new things do you want to learn this next year, you informed me that you know enough math and that you don't want to do it again next year. When I told you that you had about 17 more years of math to look forward to you, the dramatic crying and fit pitching were ones that I could have sympathized with at your age. I too wasn't fond of math.
Of our children, I suppose you in many ways, are the one most like me. Everyone certainly things you look like me. Sometimes I agree when comparing you to the others. Other times, I don't see it at all. Sometimes when I read the Ramona books to you, I can remember feeling just like she does, like you do now. Even though we grow up and forget the way we thought, and how we were misunderstood, and somehow do the same thing to our kids. You love to be read to and enjoy reading to me, too. I've slowed down your reading instruction a bit though because you were beginning to feel overwhelmed with all the different special sounds like "au" and "ow" and "oo."
You have become more responsible and better at housework and other things. You have helped care for animals since last October and loved doing the PeeWee Show at the fair. You have been very put out that you aren't allowed to show an animal for real in 4H yet. In fact, you were very vocal in informing everyone that Cloverbuds should get to grow an orange tree for the fair to sell too. "After all, you just have to water it and stuff. It's just a tree!" After more than a year of asking, your Daddy finally relinquished and got you a bunny, that you are in charge of taking care of. For a long time, you were so dramatic about how much you hated to wash dishes, and how some of them don't even look dirty. After we talked about germs and bacteria, you made up a little song that you sometimes sing while you wash dishes "Even though you can't see it, it don't mean it's not there." And you have enjoyed teaching Kate how to fold the little towels.
You still love to do everything with Britt, but you seem to be getting along with Ruth better than you were. Which makes me happy. You are both two very independent girls, but I love it when you hang out together and get along.
You are a busy person. I thoroughly expect you to be diagnosed with ADHD too. You frequently say "I forgot" and "What did you say?" Has finally replaced "What you said?" in your list of popular phrases. You are a non stop talker, with so many thoughts tumbling through your mind, that they just don't come out fast enough for you and you feel the need for all of the rest of us to know too. Last year on the trip to PA and DC, you talked non stop to our first stop, about 3 hours or so down the road. You talked the entire time we were getting out of the car and going into the bathroom. You kept right on going as you went in one stall and me in another. And as you took a breath, I just interrupted and asked you, "Rebecca, do you ever have thoughts that you think, and just keep them inside your head." After the slightest pause, you replied, "No, Momma, you aren't suppose to keep secrets from your Momma." And off you launched back into the think of what you had been telling me before.
Rebecca, you make us laugh a lot and you bring such energy and excitement to our lives in so many ways. We love you very, very much. And pray for God's blessings and grace as you grow.
Love,
Momma
