Kennedy Turned Six

Dear Kennedy,

This picture just sums you up for me right now. Benjamin was born nine months ago and you have had him at your side ever since. You are his second mom and take this role very seriously. You wake up with him most mornings, although I am never certain who wakes who up. When he was a newborn, I would find you cuddled in his crib with him. Later, you and Claire figured out how to get him out of his crib. You would stand inside the crib and pick him up and them pass him to Claire who would be standing outside his crib. You've now even created a way to get him on your own, where you balance one foot on a shelf and one on the side of the crib, pick him up and then lower him to the ground. We had to swear you off that approach for obvious safety reasons, but I love your tenacity little girl. He loves you for this, smiling for you and giggling when you insist on a foot kiss before nap time.

You watch me with eagle eyes as a mother and sometimes I wonder if you are thinking, "I could do this better." You know what? I think you could too, most of the time. You are also always at my side when I cook. Helping is second nature to you and unlike most six-year-olds, you are really efficient. 

Kennedy, you are a born planner. You particularly like to throw parties and can dream of place settings, meal plans, cake toppers and gift bags all day long. In this way, you are a lot like your Grandma Cheryl. You planned out your own Lego-themed party this year and picked out all of the decorations and party favors, catering each Lego gift to the personality and likes of your cousins.

You started Kindergarten this year and told me you are the smartest kid in the class. I told her teacher this and she said, "Well, she is probably right". You are bright and catch on to things very quickly. I love to hear you reading and watch you do math problems in your head. It is great to see your mind in motion. 

At times, you can be shy and other times extremely bold. I notice when you are with your sister, you are your bravest. When Claire falters at something, you boldly try to succeed with it. Some of this is competitive, but I think down deep you want her to know that you both can do it. I love to see you kick in to high gear in these situations and push yourself. At school, you are shy in social situations but confident in the work. We are working on making new friends and getting more comfortable with new people.

Your little freckles put me over the moon Kennedy. You have a few dotting your checks and nose. I love to stare at them and kiss those soft cheeks. They still smell like pie to me! I had freckles as a little girl and hated them. Seeing you with them, has shown me how beautiful they are. Now I regret every minute I hated my freckles. 

I love my little mama and love watching who you are becoming.

Love,

Mom