Dear Campbell (Also belated...)

Campbell's birthday also came and went without documentation, obviously, so here goes--time to write down a few things about everybody's favorite Curly Sue!

On your 5th birthday!

Campbell, you are something else.  How can I describe you?  You are sweet and sensitive and yet sassy and independent.  You are an absolute joy to have around and just looking at you melts our hearts.

some things about you at age five:  You hate to make decisions.  When asked to decide which song you want sung at bedtime, you say, "whatever Cadence is going to say". When asked which movie you want to watch, you say, "I want you to choose for me."  You avoid decisions a LOT.  So your dad and I try to make you practice decision making as often as we can.  I hope that doesn't backfire :)

You can't stand to see other's sufferings.  Once I was going to give all three of you girls ice cream cones but as I was about to dish them up, Layla scratched somebody or something like that (happens a LOT) so I told her no ice cream for her.  It was probably you she scratched.  She was heart broken and angry and you begged me to give her yours because you couldn't stand to see her like that.  I basically forced you to eat your own, which made you miserable, and so I let you share in the end.  If anybody gets into trouble you sit with them in time out or try to negotiate a lighter sentence for them.  If Ezra is crying you nag and nag and nag until I help him, because you can't bear to see him sad.  You are full of empathy.

BUT, if YOU are the one in trouble, you don't quite respond the same.  Instead of negotiating for a lighter sentence, you yell: "YOU MADE ME CRY!!!" In anger that I've scolded you.  Or, "NOW MY HEAD HURTS BECAUSE YOU WERE TALKING MEAN TO ME!!"  Or you like to threaten me: "FINE, THEN IF YOU SEND ME TO MY BED, I'M GOING TO NEVER EVER READ WITH YOU AGAIN BECAUSE YOU DID THIS TO ME! THIS IS YOUR FAULT, NOT MINE!"  You really don't like being at fault, I guess.  Who can blame you?  It's cute and frustrating at once.


seriously, how cute can things get around here!

You learned to read this year at school, you know. You picked it up in a snap.  You love school and although your dad and I were secretly gearing up for some talks from the school officials about whether some attention assessments needed to be made (we were planning on fighting back, hahaha), you teacher informed us that you are a model student and that she can always point out to the other students how well you are sitting and listening at rug time or how quickly you follow directions, etc.  We were happy to hear this news, plus a little shocked and a little relieved.  We were not shocked to hear that you are everybody's friend and that you look for ways to make those around you happy.

One Sunday morning we decided to straighten your hair.  It didn't stay straight for very long, but you thought it was so fun!

Let me explain the thing about attention assessments.  You tend to pay attention to a lot of things---all at once.  For example, you have often crashed your bike (thank HEAVEN for helmets, you have proven yours more than once...), and the reason you crash is that rather than look ahead, your neck is craning all around.  Even if I'm shouting as loud as I can, "CAMPBELL! LOOK WHERE YOU ARE GOING!"  You tend to be independent during play time, too, so that when the rest of the group heads off in one direction, you find yourself in the other...Someday, this will be a strength, probably.  You are creative and original and don't need to follow.  And apparently it's not hampering your school success (yay!).

The thing about you, Cam, is that you are oblivious to how stinkin cute you are.  Your hair is just the beginning, and your glasses are just icing on the cake.  Your shining, smiling eyes, your dimples... you are like a whirling dervish of cuteness. And when you dress yourself (usually rainboots and skirts are involved)...And your absent "r's".... We get told often that you belong on commercials.  Once you told me, "Mom, I don't want to be cute.  I want to be FUN."  I loved that! And lucky for you, you're both.

Doc McStuffins is no match for your caring heart.

Oh, another thing about you is that your laugh is fantastic.  Your laugh puts a smile on people's faces.  It is medicine for this Mama's soul.

 



One day you and your sister got off the school bus and there was a fire truck at the neighbors house on the way home.  The firemen let you and your sisters in to have a look!

 

 

 

 

Oh, Campbell, your five-year-old self is sooo great.  Never ever change.  We love you and can't wait to enjoy life along side you--it's going to be a good ride!