A letter to the birthday girl

Dear Reina:

Today you are six.  Six! When you woke up this morning, you proudly announced, "I am officially six!"  Yes, you are kiddo.  You have more loose teeth than we can keep track of, you are reading like a champ, you proudly paid for your own little toy at Target a few weeks ago and carefully counted out the dollar bills for the checkout person, you sign R E I N A with a flourish and you keep us entertained all the hours of the day. 

Reina's best Grumpy Cat impression. I think she nailed it.  This was the birthday shirt that she specifically asked for.  If you can't have your own cat, a Grumpy Cat shirt comes in a close second.  

Holy cow, she looks like a big kid in this picture. I don't know where she's learned the lean-to-the-side-tilt-your-head-like-a-model thing that she has going on, but let's face it, it works for her. 

Opening presents early on your birthday morning is a tradition that can't be beat. 

Daddy's addition to the pile of presents - her very own bow complete with hot pink-tipped arrows.  Naturally. 

Reina, I say this every year, but I can't believe it's been six years since you popped into our lives.  You are a complicated little creature.  Your interests are as numerous as the stuffed animals that fill up your room.  On the car ride home from school you want to talk about Egypt and Isis and what people wore 100 years ago and whether or not we should refer to Joseph as Jesus' stepdad.  At the library you pick out books about Cleopatra and Barbie princesses and bats and babies and cats of all shapes and sizes.  You are determined to teach Tootsie and Trigger new tricks and you desperately want to carry Baby Cousin around the house.  On your latest report card, your teacher commented that you are quite mature for your age.  At school, you don't like when other people get in trouble. (At home, it just depends on the person....)  You can be a bit of a worrier but we are going to work on that. (You come from a long line of people who like to stew about things.)  Reina, you race around this house with endless energy, making elaborate plans for all of your toys, drawing pictures and playing with your brother until finally you collapse into a pile of long legs and crazy blonde hair at bedtime. We can't wait to see what the next year brings for our lovely girl.  Happy birthday dear Reina!