FIVE

Dear Anna,

Tomorrow you will turn five.

FIVE.

It's funny how a small number can seem so huge. Your babyhood seems to finally be coming to an end. Not that you don't love a snuggle and even occasionally slip into babytalk... but it's different these days. Now you seem quite aware that you can imitate toddlerness, and yet be much more at the same time.

Every day you beg to do something new, you want to fly in an airplane, have a sleepover, wear something "special and beautiful." You want to be so adult (or at least your version of adult) right this very minute. Even things that I do that make no sense for children seem to be of interest - wearing lipstick, using hairspray, shaving your legs. It's stuff like this that cements just how girly a girl you are becoming. Sure you love to get dirty and run wild, but there is an incredible curiosity and excitment for all things feminine.

Your personality becomes more and more distinct every day. You enjoy being silly and telling jokes, even though your definition of joke is a bit murky. Knock, Knock... who's there? Cuckoo flying bird bonks into a grocery store.

So... we're working on it. I'll leave it at that.

But your favorite thing, by far, is playing with other kids. You ask for playdates on a daily basis, listing off every child you've ever met, undeterred by the fact that these things take a little advance planning. No way, jose, you want to play right now. And that's when we see a bit of that temper flare -- when things don't go as you want, which happens quite often.

You still know how to cause a ruckus. Screeching, crying, telling me exactly how things OUGHT to be, there is no end to the advice and direction that you feel the need to throw at me.

Which brings us to tomorrow... your birthday. Despite my misgivings about princesses and Disney fanntasies, I've realized that you are you. And so a few princess dolls will greet you at breakfast and a brand new sparkly shiny pink and purple bicycle with training wheels will be your new chariot.

Because you are still our beautiful baby girl. The smile on your face delights us in a way that few earthly things can. Every day we grow more in love with you. Our lives are rich because of you and your brother.

Happy birthday, Anna.