Dear Lila,

A few weeks ago you officially turned six. I can’t believe how much you’re growing up right before my eyes. You are abeautiful little girl inside and out.

For your birthday we give you the option to do a party or an experience and for two years now you’ve chosen an experience (which I secretly love).

We spent the weekend of your birthday, just you, me and daddy, in Chicago. We took you to all our favorite places from when we lived there like Pizanos Pizza, the Shedd Aquarium and the Water Tower Place. We spent a special lunch at the American Girl Doll store and swam at the hotel. You were in heaven!

Daddy and I talked after the trip and both said how much we enjoyed spending time with you. You’ve hit an age where we can take you anywhere without any worries. We love seeing the world through your eyes and talking with you about all sorts of things like whether Santa is real or not (you’re on the fence), how you like your new house (you like your bedroom, but miss your neighbors) and who your best friends are at school (your cousins are still tops).

I also told daddy that I think I am going to really enjoy parenting slightly older kids (not that the young years aren’t sweet of course). I just love how inquisitive you are and how we can experience life together. I think six is going to be an amazing year for you.

You are thriving in Kindergarten. Your teacher said you are a “joy to have in class” and that you are friends with pretty much everyone. You come home every day from school happy and seem to really enjoy learning. You are especially interested in learning to read so you can stay up in bed reading at night.

This year you’ve also gotten more into sports and other extra curricular activities. In addition to golf, swim team and acting, you tried cross country and did so well! You placed as high as 15th out of 170 kids and I got a glimpse of our future as bleacher parents. :) You also have gotten into baton twirling and walked in your first parade this past weekend. I have a feeling you will excel in whatever activity you choose to do.

You’ve become such a sweet big sister to your little brothers. They idolize you! When you’re at school they ask where you are and when you’re home they beg you to “chase me Yaya!” I’ve been so impressed with how sweet and patient you are with them. And often I catch you helping them navigate conflict over toys and sharing. They are lucky to have you as a big sister.

At home your favorite things to play usually involve legos or art supplies. You also can never get enough of daddy chasing and tickling you. In the evenings before bed you will organize your brother’s to do a “parade” around the kitchen. We put on marching band music and you all throw pillows up in the air as if they were batons.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Liz Batman (@elizbatman) on Nov 29, 2018 at 10:17am PST

We all love your playful, creative spirit, Lila. You make our family so fun and lively. Watching you grow up is one of the great joys of my life. I know how special you are and can’t wait to see all that you become. I hope you always stay as happy and silly as you are now at six.

Love always,

Mommy

Dear Lila Kate,

You turned five years old on November 18! I wanted to write you a post on your actual birthday, but of course things got a bit hectic. You and your brothers sure do keep me on my toes!

This year for your birthday we celebrated at Disney World by taking you and your cousin Reagan to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. You girls were in heaven getting your hair done, nails painted, glitter put everywhere etc. I love that you are still into princesses, dresses, jewelry and other girlie things. I have heard little girls can outgrown that shortly after five, so I wanted to soak it up with you while I can.

Four was such a transformative year for you. You began to really think about the world, your place in it and how you want to experience life. Your big emotions from age three calmed down and you began to do things that show me you’ve matured a lot. Things like saying sorry unprompted and really meaning it, sacrificing what you want for your brothers, offering to carry my purse to the car when my hands are full, bringing your dishes over to the sink without being asked and having fun playing games even if you lose.

Nothing has made me more proud of you than when your teacher told us at parent conferences recently that “Lila is one of the nicest kids in class.” More so than knowing your letters, numbers etc, I care most about you learning how to be a good friend, to be kind to others and to love yourself. You make me so proud in this sense every day!

You love your family so fiercely that sometimes daddy and I joke that no five year old has been more obsessed with their parents than you are. You would honestly rather be with us over any one else in the world. When I leave even to run to the store, you follow me out the door asking for at least five rounds of hugs and kisses.

You often say “I’m never going to college! I’m going to live with mommy and daddy forever!” Secretly, I would be happy if that actually happened. I want you to experience all the world has to offer, but I hope you are forever close to us (even if it’s just in heart). You are my best little buddy and I love having you always by my side.

Since the arrival of your brothers, your life has changed a lot. It would be very normal for you to feel resentful of them, but you have never once acted harshly towards them. At most you will tell me you feel jealous if I’m spending time with one of them or try to also sit on my lap if I’m holding one. I try to give you lots of one on one time to let you know that you’re very very special to my heart. You are such a fun big sister – always chasing the brothers until they fall in a heap giggling. They adore you so much.

We’ve tried to keep your life unscheduled so far. You mainly go to school in the mornings and then are home with us the rest of the time. We do little outings to the library, coffee shop or park. I figure you have a lot of time to explore hobbies & sports and I like our calm, quiet life! You already show a lot of aptitude and interest in a few things like singing, art, music, golf, running, swimming and acting. I’m looking forward to when you really start finding your passions.

I am told often that you are a carbon copy of me. Right now you love “looking like mommy.”  I hope as you get older that continues! You are very tall (just like I was) and are off the charts for height. You’ve already lost two teeth and have your “7 year molars” coming in. Being so tall so young wasn’t always easy for me, but so far you think its so cool that you’re “the tallest in class!” I am going to do my best to help you to always love yourself and to think being tall is a great thing (because now that I’m an adult, I see that it so is!).

Leading up to your birthday I told you that I thought you should just stay four, since mommy didn’t want you to get older. You said “No mommy I have to turn five! But I’ll always be your baby, remember?!” The truth is I love watching you grow up. I know what a special honor it is to be with you every day as you experience life.

I still can’t believe you are five! It seems like not long ago I was dreaming about what being a mom would be like. Whenever I would think about it, I always dreamt I had a daughter. You are everything and more that I dreamed of and I feel so lucky that you are mine.

Happy birthday sweet girl!

Love always,

Mommy