Happy 6th Birthday, Maile!

Dear Sweet Maile,

Happy 6th birthday!  For some reason, six seems so much older than five!  Although we miss the baby and toddler you once were, we absolutely cherish and adore the girl you have become.   You mean everything to us, and we are very blessed to have you as our daughter.

Here is just a glimpse into who you are today, as a big six year old girl . . .

You are a child who . . .
. . . loves to create - you'd rather spend time with a bunch of cardboard pieces and recycled treasures than most typical toys.
. . . has become a fabulous swimmer - being the first one your teacher has ever seen to pass your level so quickly.
 . . . listens intently as your ballet teacher calls out the steps to your routines.
 . . .has "published" two hard cover books for your school library!
. . . sleeps with a piece of paper and pen near your bed in case you have a new idea for an invention (which is almost daily, if not multiple times a day).
. . . has fallen in love with LEGOs during the past year and hopes to one day build a castle made out of them.
. . . comes up with the most detailed and thoughtful adventure stories.
. . . is infatuated with Super Mario Brothers, especially watching Daddy play Mario on Wii.
. . . can't get enough of your cousins - wanting to see them as much as possible.
. . . looks forward to music class at school every other day.
. . . wants to host a summer camp for kids - complete with your own custom tree house.
. . . has suddenly started liking scary stories and shows.
. . . wants to be a teacher, a dancer, a writer, and so many other things when you grow up.
. . . gets so excited when you discover a new Geronimo Stilton book.
. . . loves to snack on jerky and cauliflower, but noodles and salmon are still favorite meals.
. . . wants to travel to other countries to see more of the world.
. . . begged us to let you ride the school bus on the very first day of school.
. . . experienced your first, and then many follow-up, sleepovers this past year.
. . . goes straight to your homework table after school.
. . . learned your phone number, address, birth year, and how to tie your shoes all in a week.
. . . can ride downhill without training wheels - working on flat surfaces and uphill next.
. . . is getting ready to graduate from kindergarten after a great year with Mrs. Madarieta.
. . . asks for a movie night almost every single night.
. . . gets a kick out of catching Duke misbehaving.
. . . wants to learn more about magic tricks to be able to put on a show.
. . . makes us laugh every single day.

Happy 6th birthday, Mailea!  We are so thankful to be your parents.
With love,
Mommy and Daddy