Here we are, celebrating you turning the big 5! It came so fast yet we are filled with JOY for you. You are so ready for this big year! Kindergarten, independence, bravery, risk-taking. You’ve been preparing for all these 5yo milestones this year, so let’s take a look back:

You attended Pre-K at Sunbeams preschool. You loved your teacher, Mrs. Walker, very much and you made significant leaps in your social confidence as well as continuing in your exemplary academics. You love to write and draw; art is a daily medium you explored, and continue to do so. You learned to read this year as well. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of how you love learning, Miriam!

We spent lots of time doing fun things with cousins this year – Zoo trips, backyard play time, even an overnight or two 🙂

You continued dance class at Diane’s School of Dance this year. You loved learning tap and ballet, as well as some acrobatics. The whole year culminated in a big dance recital by the dance school at the Kansas City Music Hall downtown. You loved every minute of both your dances!

Sea Cruise

Muppet Babies

You are currently 42lbs and 43″ – perfect! We’re even contemplating a move to the booster from the car seat. We’ll see if Mommy will be able to handle all the change 😉 Sending you off to Kindergarten is bittersweet for Mommy!

We celebrated your 5th year with a family birthday party on your actual birthday, and a friend party at Mercury Gymnastics a few days later. This year, you scored a new puppy for your birthday from Mommy and Daddy. You named him Maverick Peanut Sidwell 😉

Miriam, you are truly a JOY! You have strong feelings about most everything; you challenge Mommy and Daddy (our parenting!) with your understanding and wit – you keep us on our toes and we love it. Our greatest hope for you, sweet girl, is that we will be the family you deserve – the family that supports you and challenges you to discover WHO God made you to be at each step of your childhood, and beyond. May you find that your kindness, your bravery, your questions, your insights, your sense of humor, all come together to make you the beautiful young lady God knit together in the womb.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Psalm 139:13 – 14

You are mightily and endlessly loved, Miriam Elayne!

– Mommy & Daddy