Dear Leah,

We blinked. And when our eyes opened, you grew from a baby into beautiful girl. It's hard to believe how quickly five years have flown by. We admit, being the middle child, some memories of your early years have gotten jumbled into the craziness that comes with three kids close in age! It's hard to remember what it felt like to snuggle you as an infant and rock you in the middle of the night. It's hard to remember what your first steps looked like and how your tiny voice sounded when you first said "mama". Yet, with as much as we can't remember, we still have loved every moment of seeing you grow into the girl you are today.

This year has been one of much growth. You now spend more weekday mornings at preschool than at home. Preschool has been a huge part of your life. You are constantly taking what you learn at school and applying it at home. You're writing and beginning to read. You're using your imagination to play for hours. And when you're not playing, you're (finally) enjoying tv and other calm activities. Your favorite thing to do, however, is play for hours outside. You've mastered riding a two-wheeler, can pump yourself on a swing, and can even swim without any floaties! It's no wonder, with as hard as you play, why you fall asleep instantly at bedtime. Giving up naps this year was definitely not easy to do for our most high-energy child, but you've learned to enjoy a couple hours of quiet time in your room. Your room (which is indeed your OWN room) becomes the backdrop for all sorts of make believe. We love to listen from afar as you play show-and-tell with your imaginary students, have tea with your stuffed animals, and take care of your crying babies!

Indeed your imagination and your personality amaze us. The first word that comes to mind when we think of your personality is compassionate. You are a nurturer and are always taking care of others. Your selflessness amazes us. You are almost always willing to put your desires behind those of your friends and family. You feel empathy for others so deeply inside of your heart that you are sometimes more concerned for others than they are for themselves! You've earned the nickname "Mama Leah"....mostly because of how much you "mother" your brothers.

And speaking of your brothers, sometimes we don't know how they'd survive without you. You and Caleb have a serious love-hate relationship. You are either fighting like worst enemies or playing like best friends. And then there's Joel. He is your shadow. He follows you everywhere and you control 99% of the play that occurs between the two of you. He's your student when you play school, your baby when you play mommy, your friend for tea parties....it goes on and on. When you're gone on Mondays and Wednesdays for preschool, he is lost without you!

Despite the fact that you are tougher than either of your brothers, you are also an incredibly sweet child. You are almost always the first to say thank you. You always want to help. When the attitude of your adolescent brother leads him to speak unkindly to his parents, you instantly come running with a hug and words of encouragement to build Daddy or Mommy back up. You are full of hugs, cuddles, and kisses. And even though you are depressingly close to being too big to hold anymore, you still love to be picked up and carried (mostly by Daddy).

For now, we'll savor those moments when you can still be our little girl. We'll pick you up and hold you because we know that all too soon you won't be small enough for that. All too soon, you'll be a big kid. Your imagination won't be as big and your kind heart might be jaded. Yet, we know that you are a child of God. You were created for an amazing purpose. No matter how much changes, you will still be the girl that God blessed us with. We are thankful for the joy He's given us through your five years in our family and we eagerly await watching you grow throughout the upcoming year! Happy Birthday Leah!!!

Love,

Daddy and Mommy