Sass and Spunk

Dear Layla Marie,

As I type this you are doing what you have been doing from the very moment your legs, arms and mouth first cooperated with your brain as a one year old.  You are singing at the top of your lungs, dancing and chasing your baby brother all at the same time.  You may look identical to me, but your are purely, genetically Daddy (in a blonde, blue eyed, beautiful little girl way).  You have graced our lives with laughter for the last 6 years.  Even this morning on the way to school I could tell that you were deep in thought--- you always do your best thinking in the car--- you said to me:

"Mom, now that I am 6 will I still be funny?"  Asked and answered my love.

You are sweet, compassionate, stubborn, spitfire, sunshine, stubborn (I did say you are of Daddy), freaking hilarious but not in an obnoxious way.  You strive to make people laugh as a 5 year old and I'm guessing that this coming year will not be any different.  It amazes me that someone so young understands sarcasm.  You totally do not get the concept of a knock-knock joke, but sarcastic humor and teasing you have down to an art form.  You change lyrics of songs to ridiculous things, but stay precisely in tune (Daddy changes songs, but definitely not in tune). You and he are completely in synk, as evidenced by him putting frosting on your cheek and without missing a beat you returned the favor!

You are a drama queen, especially about getting your hair brushed.  "Ow. Ow. Ow. OWWWWWWW!"  is what I get to hear every morning.

You never, ever leave the car in the morning without kissing me, Addison and Donovan goodbye with an "I love you" for each one of us.

Once again, another trait of Daddy, you have come this year to LOVE fried chicken.  Just now I caught you on the phone asking him to pick up some for your birthday dinner..... and of course he said yes.  This is a man who would never refuse a fried chicken request.  So much for the dinner Mommy planned. ;)

You are still best friends with your big sister.  Praise Jesus!  I am praying this particular one until eternity.  I never want you two to have a moment of animosity, pettiness or jealousy between the two of you.

While you remain best friends with Izzy, this year you have also taken Addison under your wing.  You spend a lot of time playing with her, scheming with her, teaching her to be just like you.  A post that she is gladly learning.  She is learning all the good....and the not so good.

You share a bed with your sister and every once in a while we catch you either snuggled up to Izzy or in this instance, laying on top of her.

You have become particularly sensitive this year to the fact that Daddy's mom isn't alive anymore. You are always worried about how he is feeling and if he is missing her.  This is a testament to your sweet nature.  Of all my kids you are the most worried about how people are feeling about different issues, you think about it a lot and wish that you could always fix what is wrong.

I love you Layla Shayla.  The world is a happier place with you in it.