This past year Callie:
- got glasses - after slipping and cutting open her chin numerous times (3 initial and a few slip ups after), we finally got her eyes tested and she has two astigmatisms and needed glasses - unsure if that's what has ceased the falls, but we'll take it! And, she is so cute in them! And, she took them like a champ and got used to them pretty quickly!
- got stitches her first time after falling down a slide, splitting open her chin of course, at Cubbies in October (I think). Who knows what really happened (her stories and "forgetfulness" often keep us on our toes), but when we finally got in there, she cried until she HAD to stop and she stopped and allowed the dr to stitch her up; she was a champ - so impressed by her!!
- has come up with the funniest stories and said the cutest things. She is constantly entertaining us with her random thoughts; I like to call them "Callie-isms". I'm trying to post stuff on Facebook at times so I can eventually print them all. Sometimes I think she isn't learning as much but then she will randomly use her knowledge to tell us a funny story. She is cracking us up all the time and I cannot thank God enough for bringing this silly, bright, comical, cute, goofy, beautiful girl into our lives!
- has made many friends at school; Gigi being her "BFF"; although, they butt heads quite a bit, but they are pretty cute together! They both will be at Westlake next year, so that will be interesting!
- is almost done with her two years of preschool with Teacher Michelle at Tendercare Preschool. It's sad to think we'll be done there in just a couple months. Both Felicity and Callie have loved going there and our family is so grateful for Michelle and her family for running such a great, close knit, loving preschool where our girls have just blossomed into amazing little girls!
- has done about 8 months of ballet and is so cute at it! She seems to go back and forth about whether she wants to continue it, but it's so apparent that she loves to entertain and make people happy! She's pretty good at it and it is so fun being able to see her perform. Sadly, we'll miss the first recital due to Gramma Sherry's wedding, but she'll get to perform this Summer at the fair.
- LOVES visiting Westlake and cannot wait to start Kindergarten. All of Felicity's friends are her friends; she wants to always be involved and hug (and sometimes even a kiss...oh my!) anyone who seems willing to take one. She is truly a people person and although sometimes that means she may compromise the character we're praying God is developing in her, she just wants to connect and have people enjoy her as much as she enjoys them. I pray that God will use this special and sacred characteristic to His glory as she grows!!
- has learned all of her letters, can count to at least 30, is drawing much better, is loving to color and staying in the lines quite well, likes to ask math questions all the time (like "what is 1+3+40+5....") which shows me that she is ready to learn what she will in kindergarten
- loves to dress up; every day she asks if she can wear a dress ;)
- loves to laugh and hug and snuggle...and we love that about her!!
- is enjoying looking at a book and making up the story to go with, or trying to remember the story and tells it to us while showing us the pictures in the book; it is so cute! And, again, it shows us she seems more ready for kindergarten than I expected
- at her 5 yr check up, she was 43 lbs and 3'9" tall; she is about 75% for height consistently and 91% for height which is a bit lower than it used to be. We love these tall girls of ours!
- says she wants to be a "hair doer" just like her sister when she grows up
- she also wants to be a mom, wants to still marry Jack Woods (our friends, Gina & Patrick, son who is a year older than her); she even goes as far as knowing her last name when she is an adult will be "Woods" - again, she cracks us up! Who knows what her future holds, but I wouldn't be surprised if this actually happens!
- loves to pray - this is by far the attribute of Callie that I am challenged by and love most - she doesn't necessarily want to pray herself so much (not as much as she used to) but she remembers and wants to every day (especially at night before bed). She really has a heart for those who are sick or need healing; it's so sweet when she asks to consistently pray for someone she knows needs it, like our sweet Nancy Dutton who's been battling cancer in her brain this year. This is something that has been so true to her character for the last 3 years; what a prayer warrior she is! I cannot wait til she truly gives her life to Christ and steps up for what she believes. In the meantime, she seems to love God and asks great questions! She is inquisitive and although she seems to want to claim Christ as her savior, I think she still wants some more time to grasp His greatness; but, her faith is unreal sometimes - love this!!
Callie - sweet Callie! Thank you for being such a fun loving and giving girl. We are constantly impressed by how much you give in to your sister's bossiness (which means you just let things go), you are quick to forgive, you love with all your heart and make us smile - even when you are misbehaving! You are who you are no matter what - your true funny, loving, kind and spunky self shows within minutes of others meeting you. Your snuggles are unending and I will forever welcome them with open arms! I am sorry if I ever squash your spirit, I want to so badly be the mom God wants me to be for you. I know that I can often be sidetracked by trying to help you learn good behavior and instill godly qualities that I can have too high of and unrealistic expectations, but know that you are such a sweet spirit and God has blessed us more than I could ever imagine with you in our lives! I see greatness in you and pray that God would guide your spirit daily to be who HE wants you to be; that you would come to love and trust Him with your life like you trust Him for others. Thank you for giving us so much laughter this year!
Happy 5th Birthday sweet girl!
Love,
Love,
Mommy
