Five.
Dear Alexis,
Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you're old enough to read this, then you are old enough to know that I just used my annual quotient for exclamation points in one sentence. In this case, it's very much so warranted. You have been looking forward to this day since your fourth birthday, and perhaps even before that. I had convinced myself that it was normal for a kid to have selected a theme for their next six birthday parties, but one of your preschool teachers mentioned this morning that she has never seen someone your age so excited for a birthday. I'm pretty sure that's means you're a nutball. (Oh, and seriously? You really want a Santa birthday next year? I will sacrifice and leave the Christmas decorations up that long, but only if you really want me to. Ahem.)
The other reason all of those exclamation points belong up there is that DUDE, WE HAVEN'T BROKEN YOU YET! Call it luck or whatever, but somehow, some way, you still sparkle just like you have since the day you were born. Your heart still glows brightly, filling the people around you with warmth and joy. You spread your enthusiasm for life with random trails of brightness here and there and everywhere. Don't ever stop sparkling, kid.
Alexis, I often think you came into this world for the sole purpose of teaching people how to be happy. It's your strongest skill, the thing that you do best. When you grin, the world grins with you. When you laugh, I guarantee the world laughs with you. When you stop to enjoy the little things, you teach everyone just how good life can be. You have taught me to stop and enjoy every minute, and then listened when I have taught you the same lesson before turning it back around on me again. You sometimes break a cranky mood by asking me a question that I've asked you many times, "Do you want to have a good day today or a bad day today?" Thank you for teaching me that it is a choice. Thank you for always choosing to have a good day. Thank you for sharing the will to be happy with me.
This is the year that you made the most of those good days as you sparkled your way into being a Kid. An honest-to-goodness Kid. When we first moved into this house just over a year ago, you couldn't reach the light switches. Now you don't even have to stand on your tiptoes. You've shed most of your Toddler-speak, leaving me to cherish "Sgabetti" and a few other rare linguistic gifts. You've left little kid music in the dust, instead preferring to listen to Phantom of the Opera and Katy Perry and Lady Gaga at top volume. Your tastes may be a bit suspect at times, but your enthusiasm squashes my thoughts of complaining.
Five.
It's a big deal, kid.
I hope your fifth birthday lived up to your expectations, and I hope every day that is to come exceeds those expectations. I live to fuel your sparkle, kid. Let's go have an amazing year together, OK?
Love,
Momma
P.S. Thank you for still calling me, "Momma" and not the more grown-up variation "Mom." Every time you say it, you send a flash of happy my way.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Reader Comments (19)
Happy Birthday, Alexis. You do truly make those around you smile and laugh. It's one of the reasons I love to see you. Thank you for sharing that joy with me. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, and I hope to see you soon.
happy birthday, alexis. take it, grab it, cherish it, love it.
and you too, michelle.
<3
Beautiful letter. Happy Birthday Alexis!
Happy fifth birthday, Alexis!
I strongly believe that you're the magical charm that has given the Steelers three super bowl appearances in the last five years. Keep being hilarious and brilliant so your Momma has plenty to write about for the next five, ten, fifteen, twenty years!
And I just thought you should know, calling your mother 'Momma' is awesome. I'm 20 and I still do it; you never get too old for that nickname. :]
Happy Birthday, Alexis! Five is such a BIG one, I hope you had a fantastic birthday!
Your cupcakes looked AMAZING, Michelle. You really do have a talent.
Happy Birthday, big girl, and congratulations, mommy!
first, i have no doubt that alexis is such a magnificent person as a result of having you guys for parents. reading the love, pride and joy this post brought tears to my eyes.
second, five IS a big deal. i'm so happy you enjoy it, alexis. your momma is right...don't ever stop sparkling!
Happy Birthday, Alexis!!! What a beautiful letter that she'll cherish when she's older.
I hope Alexis has a wonderful birthday!!!
A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, Alexis! You're awesome, and your mom is, too. Keep on enjoying life and this world! (Of course, that means Pittsburgh! :-) )
That beautiful, sparkley kid is never, ever, EVER going to doubt how much you love her.
Good job, momma! :)
Happy birthday Alexis... and that's one awesome playroom!!
Five is such a big deal! Happy Birthday Alexis!
happy birthday Alexis! this made me a little teary eyed reading it...all these pregnancy hormones I guess. YOu make having a daughter sound like so.much.fun - I can't wait to bring mine into the world!
Happy Birthday Alexis!
You bring me out of lurkdom with this post! I just want to say thanks for writing. It's wonderful to read something that I also experience with my daughter, who will be turning 8 (!) this Monday. Enjoy the festivities this weekend!
Five is HUGE! For you, Alexis, and for you, Mama :)
Hope the birthday was awesome in so many ways!!
(I love that Morgan still calls me Mama or Mommy)
Happy birthday Miss Alexis!!
Hope you had a "good day" and you continue to make each day better than the last. Oh, and always call your mother Momma. The brand new 27-year-old still does. And remember, January babies are SO best.
Happy happy birthday sweet girl!!! Enjoy it!!!!
My sincerst apologies for being so late in saying, Happy Birthday, Alexis! You are truly an amazing little girl and I am so priveledged to have watched you grown in the last several years. Your Momma sure nailed it on the head in mentioning how much joy and happiness you bring to others - but then again, you have a pretty good teacher in her.