5 Years Old

Daisy starts school in six months! We are both ready and not ready at the same time. Daisy is smart, kind, creative, obedient, and playful. She has also taken to running to her room in a dramatic fit when she doesn't get what she wants or is mad at Rockwell. It's funny to watch. She can get "passionate" about certain things when things don't go as she thinks they should. Daisy likes control. She will love school. She loves preschool. I am happy that she got in the Legacy Charter School out here in Surprise. It is a good school, and I think it will be just the right fit for her. It still make sad to know that this phase of our life is almost over. The phase of our world just being us and our home. Now we will have school and school friends and school teachers, and we will have to leave our house everyday. I am going to miss the mornings of just waking up and snuggling up on the couch with her with no where to go and nothing to do. I am really going to try and enjoy the next few months and take in the last of this time.

Daisy is still so little, but she does think she is big stuff. She loves to be in charge and take care of Rocky. It's a good thing he loves to be cared for by his big sister. She will be his "mom" and tuck him in. She will be his "teacher" and teach him to write his name. She is a good big sister. She loves her boots and her cousin Laine. She is a bit of a perfectionist which is a good and a frustrating thing for her. She asks me every night to lay down with her. When I tuck her in we always list five things to be thankful for. Her list usually consists of her mom and dad, Jesus, clothes, a house to live in, Rocky, and socks. Her favorite colors are red and pink. She wants to be a Mom when she grows up. Her favorite thing to do is go to Disneyland. Her favorite holiday is Christmas. Her favorite show is Heidi. Her best friend is Allie. And her favorite food is cinnamon toast crunch and chicken noodle soup.

Daisy is growing up into a great little girl. She is constantly helping me grow as a person. I love her and am so thankful for the spirit she brings into our home.

This was a picture for her first Primary Program. I love this picture. I hope she always knows how special she is and will have the confidence that she is showing in this picture. When they called all of the kids up to the front, she looked so small walking up by herself. It made me choke up a bit. That was a big deal for her to go up by herself. Daisy is very confident if she feels she knows how to handle the situation she is in. So for her to walk up to the front by herself even though it was her first time, felt like a big deal in her little world.

Grandma and Grandpa came to watch too. She was pleased. Daisy has a special place in heart for all of her grandparents. She loves them so much.

There was a period of time when Daisy "blessed" (forced) me to grow as a parent. Before she could talk, she would get so mad when she couldn't say everything she wanted to. This resulted in months of tantrums that left me with pulled hair and a scratched face sitting outside of her door at a loss for what to do to help my girl. Thankfully, we both learned how to deal a little bit better as time moved forward, and her tantrums became less and less. She is still little, however, and some days are hard. These days usually end in tears. Tears over too much ketchup on her plate, her brother looked at her the wrong way, I won't give her gum...You know tough stuff for a five year old. Daisy also loves to please and obey, but I think her internal battle to please and to do what she wants creates a storm sometimes, and it comes out usually around bedtime. I am still learning how to help her navigate these storms. I want her to be resilient, and I am trying to look at these little moments as practice for when the bigger problems start to come.

Daisy loves her Dad. She always prays for him to be safe. "Please thankful for my Dad to be safe". It makes me smile every time.

Daisy loves to pick out her outfits. She won't wear an outfit I pick out even if she likes it. She has to be the one that picks. Most days she is wearing a tutu so she can dance.

I am so thankfully for Daisy.