Today, LP is Five

Dear Little Pickle,

Well, here we are again. Another year and another letter to write. I know I say it every year but it feels like yesterday you were turning four, having a party in the back garden and getting so excited about having your face painted.

A year ago you hadn’t yet started school and now you will be starting Year 1 in a matter of days. You have grabbed school with both hands and have done your absolute best at everything that has been put in front of you – from being a sheep in the nativity, to sports day and even making friends. You have aced it – and you have loved every minute. Your school report couldn’t have been better. I had worried about you being a summer baby, being the youngest in your year and I worried that you may struggle to keep up but you are right on track in every aspect of your education and I am so proud of you for that.

A year ago you couldn’t hold a pen and now you can write your name, your brother’s name and so many other words. You guess words you don’t yet know by sounding them out and you do the same with reading, breaking down words, sounding them out and giving each one your best shot. I am constantly amazed by you – for someone so little you just know so much.

This year has been a pretty big one. Not just for you but for all of us. We went to Scotland, to the Isle of Wight and on our first holiday abroad, to Lemnos, Greece. You loved your first time on a plane and were just so good throughout, trying everything and being just so happy – even with the long days and constant activities. You loved the kids club and came on so far with your swimming whilst we were there too – I’m sure next year you’ll be leaving the floats behind.

Smaller things happened this year too – you had your nails painted for the first time, which you loved and you also chipped one of your front teeth, another of those things that makes you look different but still the same. You now have so many marks from your five years – a scar on your lip, a chipped tooth and so many freckles that all seem to have appeared this summer.

You are still a petite little thing. You are about 105cm tall, a couple of cm taller than your brother, and you and him weigh exactly the same – 32lb. You have size 9 feet and you are still pretty much in age 3-4 clothes although you wear 4-5 they are always big on you and we have only just put away the last of your 2-3 clothes. Although you’re petite, it suits you perfectly and you have a personality of a much bigger person – full of laughter and so confident. Your confidence makes me wish I were more like you – you talk to anyone, make friends easily and have no fear. Never change LP.

Five seems like such a big age. Half a decade. In another five years we’ll be onto double figures and yet we seem to have got to this point just so quickly. The days are long but the years are indeed so short. But, over each of those short years, every month that has passed, it has been a pleasure to watch you grow, see your smile and watch your brain working as you learn new things. You’re a sponge, soaking up information, hearing things, seeing things and processing it all. You are at a great age and I think five is going to be one of the best years yet.

LP, you are so polite, so well mannered and so friendly. You are creative, sociable and you love My Little Pony more than anything else. You look like me when I was younger but you are very much your own person, not much like me at all. I love getting to know you as you grow into yourself and I love that your face, surrounded by messy hair, is often the first thing I see in the morning. I hope you won’t grow out of morning cuddles in bed just yet.

Happy Birthday LP. Four has been a great year and I am sure that five will be even better – these years do just keep getting better.

Love always

Mummy and Daddy x