Dear Piper,

Last Monday, you turned six years old! Surprise, surprise: I can't believe the year we have had.  

Last year, there was a country song that I declared was my song for you. This year, courtesy of Cody Johnson, you have a new song! (Once again, must be sung with a country accent):

I could stay with you like this

Till the day love don't exist

Wild flowers bloom in an open field

And wither in a vase on a window seal

But you belong where the four winds blow

Out where the untamed mustang roam

Like a sweet summer rain passing through

Never seen anything wild as you

You amaze me every year, but this year has been a huge transition filled with all the ups and downs that come along with that.  In the fall, there were so many times when I would think, "Jesus, take the WHEEEEL!" but I look back now and think that these last few months have been a sweet season for us.  I swear in the beginning of the year, I was calling friends, asking for prayer, wondering if you should be in some sort of non-traditional outdoor school, considering therapeutic horseback riding lessons, or buying you a dog, or moving to a farm, getting you a therapist, or getting myself one.  (Sorry, girl, real talk).  But the truth is, you are just your own person, and my first guess at how to parent you best is often wrong.  So I'm getting better at laying down my expectations of what will work best for you and going from there.

So moving on-- you loved Kindergarten!  You found friends and stuck with them.  You loved your teacher who is so adorable that I want to be her friend but also not be awkward about it.  She seemed to have the perfect amount of patience and understanding to let you be yourself while still bringing out the best in you.  What more could I ask for?  You won the "Wonderful Writer" award at the end of the year, so maybe one day I'll be reading your books. (Judging by your descriptions of your scary dreams, I'd suggest starting with thrillers or dramas)... Speaking of wonderful writing, I found this handy how-to booklet while cleaning out your room:

This seems like a pretty complete manual, but in case you were concerned, I did find a page later that said, "Feed your dog."  So that pretty much covers everything.

Anyway, I should stop reminiscing before this gets out of hand, so get ready for a walk down Memory Lane. 

After your last birthday, you kids and I spent the summer in Sugar Land trading between family houses.  You are still the ultimate animal lover.

 (And the ultimate snuggler).

We were able to stay with Beth and Ande for the week of "Kindergarten Camp," so obviously you bonded with the resident chickens and Taylor the squirrel. 

  Before I knew it, you were off!

We went to Six Flags this fall, and you showed me that you still don't like to smile on command.

 But you DO like to ride the scary roller coasters.  (Not pictured: siblings and myself sitting this one out).

The evidence of theme-park success.  By the way, this is the year we buckled down and bought some yucky stuff to help you stop with the thumb.  I'm sorry, but also you're welcome, because our dental and orthodontic future is looking pretty grim.

This Christmas artwork displayed outside your classroom made me chuckle.

And of course I had to take a photo of these sleeping twinkies.

I will never stop loving the face paint design you chose at the Alliance Air Show.

Important development: You lost your first tooth.  After not committing to the Santa thing, I waffled on the Tooth Fairy, so Nana has just been slipping you guys $5 for every lost tooth, which is more generous than the tooth fairy could ever be. (So count that as another "sorry" and "you're welcome.")

 Your art was selected to be displayed at the District Art show! One or two pieces per class were chosen, so here you are with your fish. 

The "Box of Grievances" is a tool we're using for the summer, but I'm not yet ready to say that it's a roaring success.

You guys completed a 200-piece puzzle by yourselves!  I'm impressed because I hate puzzles, but I haven't told you that yet, because it seems like irresponsible parenting.

I went overboard, but you're pretty cool, and I love you.  I'm happy to keep watching you grow up.

Love, Mom