Bella you are 5 years old. I’m unsure of your height and weight, but I would guess around 45 inches tall and 46lbs. You have shoulder length blond hair and blueish greenish eyes. They are starting to change. You wear size 5, 6 or 7 clothes and size 11.5 shoos
In the last year you have completed 4 year old kindergarten with Mrs. Helmke. You did great in school. You learned all your letters, upper and lower, counting by 2’s and 10’s all the up to 100 and more. You learned three prayers, and have become so good in church, (following along, participating and listening). You made friends with your 13 classmates, most of these will be with you for the next 6 years. You pick up on so many things and are eager to learn more and more. You started being able to read words and enjoy trying to read more. You have gotten very crafty since school being in school. You learned what playdough was, and how to really use your scissors for good. You love reading stories and creating your own. Cowboys and farming were big with the boys in school, who you wanted to play with a lot, so you got cowboy boots and loved wearing them like the boys. You loved playing with Miriam and Kate, along with Brady, Landon and Anthony. Since school got over you have been asking when you go back.
This Summer you have been busy with Swimming and Soccer. You did great in swimming, but still struggling to keep a float. You did manage to float on your back and tummy though, something I didn’t think you would be able to do. You did great in the water and going off the diving board! Soccer was your first time doing a team sport. Though you were a bit shy at first, you quickly got use to it and had fun. The only part you didn’t like was when someone else would steal the ball from you.
You have been a real trooper too. It’s been kind of rough the last 12 months. We did a lot of running for treatments and doctor’s appointments for daddy. But you did great. You made friends with the nurses and secretaries. You listen to what we asked you to do, and stayed out of the way when needed. When we need you to be gentle with Daddy, you did just that. YOu got to know your Aunt Kara more and spent some time with her, and Aunt Diane came to spend extra time with you too. Btu as a reward you got to spend a lot more time as a whole family. WE did a lot of fishing trips and you loved it! We also saw a lot more of Nana and Aunt Tracey and family too.
Some first from the last year are.:
We went to the apple orchards. You had so much fun picking out apples at each place we stopped.
You went to the Apple fest in Milwaukee with Mommy, Daddy and Max, then went to Carroll College’s homecoming, where you really figured out what a parade was.
You had your first weekend alone with Daddy and Max while Mommy went away . Everyone survived.
You rode in the harvest fest parade with kids from your school without Mommy. I was walking in front of the float with max.
You got to met your Cousin Alex Rose and 2nd Cousin Brooklyn. These are your first cousins on Grandma’s side of the family.
YOu went Black Friday shopping with Mommy, Nana and Aunt Darlene. You were so brave with the hoards of people. You picked out a Cinderella doll and you totally deserved it.
We had a most wonderful Christmas, where you were spoiled ..but it was something that you and your brother needed after the last 6 months.
We had our first family trip to Dubuque to stay at the Grand Harbor resort. Followed by (hopefully) your first benefit for the family. You had a blast playing with Aunt Olivia.
You went ice fishing a lot with Daddy for the first time. You had a blast with that. You loved playing with the fish on the ice bc they there still very active yet not I the water.
After School got out, You , along with the family, went on your first plane right, followed by your first trip to the Ocean, then first trip to Disney, Universal studios, and SeaWorld. You had a blast, and were in heaven. You still ask to go back, often.
To follow that up, you were in your first wedding as a flower girl! You were a bit nervous about the whole thing, but when the day came you did great! I’m so proud of you!
Bella you are such a smart little girl, and so much like your mommy. You are such a good independent girl, and love to do things your way. But you do get frustrated easily when things don’t work out like you think they should. The littlest things still make you happy. You are funny and so loving , especially to your brother. I asked you once if you remember what it was like without Max and you said “ no, where did he go?” You are taking on more responsibility like helping with putting away the dishes, keeping your room clean, and making your own meal (cereal) when you don’t like what we are having to eat. You are trying making your own PB&J too, but I think you still have some work on that one. Outside is still one of your favorite things. You do so much out there, fishing, looking for worms or other bugs. Helping with the calves, helping daddy with other projects on the farm, tractor rides. Your playhouse and sandbox are two big deals too. You have so much fun. We are working on getting your playhouse all finished up too. you have started playing with your baby dolls a bit more, but still animals seem to win out. Mimi and he baby sister Lily get to sleep with you but those are the only two, other dolls have come and gone as not important. Figuring out Puzzles and playing with play dough are two of your favorite things to do when Max naps. You really enjoy the freedom to play with your little and messy things while he naps.
Speaking of your brother, you love him so much. You two often play so well together, only you don’t seem to know when he wants you to stop picking on him. And when it comes to you making something you don’t’ like him messing it up. I hear the most giggles when the two of you are together and he looks forward to seeing you when he wakes up or if we go somewhere with out you. He’s going to be so lonely with you at school all day. You love to make him happy and worry why he’s upset. I hope you two keep such a loving relationship!
THe next year will be a big one as you enter school all day for kindergarten, five days a week. you have learned so much in your short time in school, that I can’t wait for more wonders that you will learn and I know there is so much you want to know.
We love you Bella Bug!!! What a great 5 years, but can the next 5 slow down?
