Really - this can't be happening. My sweet, beautiful, charming, hilarious Abbigail is five. My adorable lucky charm, born on St. Patrick's Day. Five years old. Every day I tell her to stop growing. Every day she continues to ignore me. Nothing new there.
So, of course we had a party to celebrate this mile-stone. Ten girls, and two boys (her cousin Cooper who turns 5 himself in just 5 days, and her crush from pre-school, Bo, who turns 5 tomorrow.) So 12 crazy kids made crazier by cake, ice-cream, soda, and sugared popcorn. I know their parents are still cursing my name.
She opened presents, they played games, the two boys put up with the Hello Kitty theme, and through the rush of it all I kept thinking, "This can't be happening. I can't be losing this sweet toddler to time!"
But, when we wake tomorrow she'll be 5-years and one day, and there is nothing I can do to stop time.
So, as I send her out into this rough world, the world where kindergarten is just a few months away; where soon that new bike won't be too big; where someday she'll let go of "Pinky the Blanket"...
...tonight I want to remember and remind what makes this one-of-a-kind kid so incredible. (Cuz I'm sure in 10 years I'll need that reminder.)
I love your laugh. It's so infectious, and we all need to laugh more.
I love how you try so hard to impress your older sister.
I love how you'll hand over a favorite toy to your crying baby sister.
I love how you want to be every ones friend, and you don't fear rejection. If they're not your friend now, they will be later.
I love how Miley Cyrus (the tom-cat) runs to your side the moment he hears your cries.
I love your bravery.
I love your honesty.
I love how you call sneezes "Bless-yous."
I love that even in the middle of summer you want me to sing you Christmas songs at bedtime.
I love your growing sense of humor.
I love that you love me. I love that when you get hurt you call out my name first. I love those nights you wake up afraid and call out my name first. That's the best part about being your mom, Abbigail: knowing you love me just as much as I love you. I hear that love every time you say my name, "Mommy." A name I don't take lightly. A title I promise to keep "earning" every day.
I love you, and though I dread seeing that sweet, little girl grow - I can't wait to see the person she becomes year after year.
I love you.
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Saint Patrick's Day is doubly special in the Jarvis Family. My nephew, Reid... or shall we say Elder Jarvis shares a birthday with Abbigail. (Rather - she shares the day with him. He is 14 years older.)
Elder Jarvis just so happens to be serving his mission in Salt Lake City. It just so happens his favorite Aunt (ahem) lives in Salt Lake City. So we were able to take him cake and ice-cream to share with his companion and the other two elders living in the apartment. Abbigail made something special for him, too; a heart made out of play-doh. We love you Elder Jarvis and are so proud of you!
