Today, Kyle moves onto the next hand in showing her age. It seems like only moments ago, we were waiting for you to arrive at the hospital. Now you are a full blown kid!
This has been an amazing and busy year. Kyle conquered softball and gymnastics for the first time. She started swimming and enjoyed a trip to the beach with friends. Again, you visited Grammi and Grampi in Iowa for camp and cousin time followed by visits to Lake Chelan with Grandma and Papa John. The biggest event was starting school - Kindergarten! Kyle has enjoyed school, especially extended care and hot lunch. You have no problem doing your homework and seem to continue the tradition of wanting to follow rules. It's been astounding watching your writing improve, new words being formed, and listening as you start to read the books. You also love to add and count as high as you can - often as we are driving home from picking up Jack.
Loves this year include Legos, being outdoors, treking to the river, helping your dad in the barn, and playing (or perhaps teasing) Jack. You enjoy puzzles and board games, especially when anyone wants to participate. Making forts and putting on plays has become a regular occurrence in front of the wood stove. Kyle draws elaborate pictures, often of your family doing adventurous things. The artwork adorns our fridge. Most days, you still prefer a tank top and shorts, no matter what the weather. A look you prefer to complete with a pair of rainboots. Your room has become your sanctuary - filled in nearly every corner with endless items of interest. It's tidy in a cluttered sort of way, but you always know where things are. Endless hours are spent at the desk building elaborate lego citys.
As the year has gone on, you have expanded your interests in food, eating many new things. Suprisingly, bacon, sausage, peppers and cucumbers have all become new favorites. If the choice was yours, the fascination of hot lunch is preferred over lunch made by mom. Although the day with chicken drumstricks was probably not your favorite. You are a helper in every sense - from folding clothes to watching Jack to packing lunch for your dad (complete with a Daddy soda). You aim to please, people.
In many ways, you are more than your mom's mini-me. You have the same desire for things to go perfect and get easily frustrated. Your tenacity and desire to achieve is so evident. This mom knows you will accomplish many things, although there will be days you struggle. Keep believing in yourself - you are pretty amazing. You undertand hard work and going at a task full force.
As your parents, there are so many things to love about you. You are an amazing sister who can be trusted to happily care for Jack, even if that means eating 12 Fruit by the Foot in one day. You love him with intensity always worried about his cries and wanting to show him off to others. You have gained many friends this year, and we have heard from your teachers how you show empathy and compassion for others. Always be sure to be a friend to everyone!! You have been successful at school, with a rough start that had us a little worried. Yet you preservered in a manner that is outstounding. Be prepared to know new starts may be a little rocky, but your personality will always overcome. You love cheetah hugs, big smiles and endless admiration. We are happy to supply.
Kyle, we love you more than words! You are everything we could hope and more than we could have imagined. Keep being you because it is a really good thing. We look forward to seeing you grow, prosper, and learn. It's the highlight of our days!
