So this is SIX

Our sweet Sierra,

6 years ago today, you came tumbling out (well, we evicted and forced you out if we're getting technical) and opened our hearts, our world, to the possibility of loving someone with wild abandon, of falling so completely head over heels in love with another human being that life before would forever after be a memory. Thank you for changing our lives forever. We love you more than we could possibly express in words.

At the tender age of 6, you're still our baby girl. You still begin (well, mostly - you're pretty much  a grump first thing in the morning, but once you're awake) and end the day with hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy. You still wander into our bed almost every night. And we wouldn't have it any other way, for we know these nights will be gone in the blink of an eye. 

You still have all of your baby teeth and are so unhappy about that fact. You ask me on almost a daily basis whether your teeth are loose yet and how soon the tooth fairy will come. Soon, my sweet girl. I keep telling you not to rush it, that it'll happen. But I know that's a lesson you'll have to learn on your own. Many times over.

Your best friends at school are Anna and Frida. 

You girls are so sweet together, but are already navigating the difficult world of female friendships, the competitions and jealousy. I wish you could hold onto your baby innocence a little longer, that your friendships would always be easy and free. But I am so grateful you have Anna and Frida to learn these lessons with, girls that won't hold grudges, that will love you even when you're bossy and always have to go first in jumprope.

Speaking of jumprope, you freaking LOVE jumprope. You are obsessed with it. And you can almost actually do it. You're so proud of how close you are and I know you'll get the hang of it soon.

And you LOVE gymnastics. Man do you love it. And I love watching you grin from ear to ear the entire class. I just don't have the heart to tell you that, with a dad who is 6'3" and a mom who is 5'10," you have about 5 more seconds before you're too big to consider gymnastics as a sport you can actually do. 

At 6, you're getting more and more confident in your swimming abilities, and can get all the way across Gigi and Popo's pool, even if you don't quite have the proper stroke down. You're SO excited to start swim lessons again this summer.

And just this week, you got your first sunburn. A rite of passage for my generation, I'm pretty sure it's a mom-fail for yours. Sorry about that. But I'm pretty proud you made it all the way to 6 before you got your first one. You  are blessed kiddo with skin that almost never burns! 

You're FINALLY nighttime potty trained! YAY!

Your favorite colors are pink, purple, red, blue, black and brown. Apparently, you love them all, which I didn't realize until I asked you in anticipation of this blogpost. And while you're still working on the whole learning to read thing (and giving us a fair amount of attitude about it), you got your math down. I love seeing how naturally math comes to you - definitely my kiddo!

At 6, you're just starting to realize that jewelry can make an outfit, and asking to wear my perfume. We're dangerously close to the days where you start to tie your beauty to those things. As your mommy, I so hope I can help you see your beauty isn't in any of that, but in being a child of God.  When I asked you what your favorite song was, you said it was the AWANA theme song. I love that you're drawn to songs about your Savior. I love that you want to learn about Him, about His unending love for you.

So, this is 6. We are so excited for this next year of life, for the surprises that lie ahead for you. Because truly, sweet baby, your future is wide open. 

We love you and are so happy to be your parents.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy