Emmaline is 5 years old.
FIVE YEARS OLD.
The first 3 years went by at a normal pace. I could enjoy every milestone, every laugh, document
every outburst. Took thousands of
pictures of her face in every scenario.
Speed of time has definitely increased. Now, I don’t know if it was Emmy
or Delaney that doesn’t like peanut butter or who had that tantrum in the gym
or which one bit other kids. Adding that
2nd baby really amplified the crazy in our house and sometimes the
memories are a bit blurred. I wanted
Emmy to have another sibling around her age but I don't know if I was prepared for two at the same time! The first time I looked at Emmy after
Delaney was born I remember thinking how big her face looked. Her hands were like a basketball player's. Her hair was so thick and teenagery with less
plumped cheeks. She was only 3 years
old but she seemed so much older suddenly.
Ever since then I have looked at her differently in a more mature and responsible
way. I subconsciously expect her to know
how ridiculous it is to draw on the walls or spill juice on the carpet and then
quickly remind myself she’s still just a little girl.
She is a raw nerve about 70% of the day. She cries at any given opportunity but can
easily be tickled out of it or bribed with applesauce or marshmallows. She is very determined and likes to push
boundaries, mostly with me. She is still
extraordinary at negotiating and I have found myself walking away from a closed
deal thinking “what the hell just happened?” She’s perceptive and nothing gets
past her. I love that about her and
also find it very annoying because she has no reservations about calling me out
when I’ve said something and not done it. She has a phenomenal memory and even
though she might mix up details – she will always remember the event. For instance – she remembers people’s
cars. We’ll be driving and she will say “that
looks like so-and-so’s car” and it’s the exact same make/model/color of their
car. 
Emmy is VERY particular about her
room. She has colored a picture and
taped it to the front of her door with a password (not sure she knows how
passwords work). It is primarily closed so Delaney wont jump
on her bed and mess up how well she has made it. She is pretty amazing at making her bed – I’ll
give her that & most likely D will
get up yand jump on her bed. All the
items in her room are hers. She puts
things is random places but I find it so fascinating on her logic behind
it. It’s like a little invitation into
her mini-psyche. She has a jewelry box filled with jewels and headbands to which she has to wear every day. She is known to wear stripes on stripes on stripes and be absolutely confident in her choice. She doesn’t like short pants, too small of
pants, long socks or socks with seams.
She doesn’t like t-shirts or clothes that say a size larger than "5" because that’s just too big. She
generally carries a purse with her everywhere filled with 3-4 of our old phones
(once we found the house phone in there). With makeup, jewelry, high heels,
dresses and nail polish - she is ALL girl, however, we were practicing her hitting downstairs with a whiffle-ball
bat and she can smack the ball! We made
a joke that she might hit harder than her brother and she has taken that and
ran with it. Never misses an opportunity
to tell people she’s a better baseball player than brother and faster than
brother. There is certainly a sibling
rivalry. Even if Hayden doesn’t
want to admit it – she gets under his skin on the daily. He’s always rough-housing with her and most of the time she plays along but sometimes she just
yells at him and demands he stop. She wouldn’t admit that she misses him
when he’s gone but she always wants to get an extra cookie for him or an extra
picture to color for him. There are times when Emmy will help Delaney get her coat on or read a book to her or explain how to go down the stairs safely. There are definitely those times. But there are more of the screaming and complaining about how Delaney NEVER shares her toys (not true) and how Delaney always gets what she wants (also not true) and how Delaney always gets to eat the last applesauce (might be true). She is really having a hard time sharing with D mostly because she is fearful Delaney will ruin something of hers. Which has happened but never intentionally. That's where she doesn't understand the difference in age between the two of them. I think they will definitely have a love/hate relationship for most of their childhood but in the sweet moments - Emmy is one of the most loving and patient sisters you could ask for. If anything she might get more frustrated because Delaney doesn't always wants to hug her!
Emmy is a very different creature at school. She is well behaved, a good listener, a
focused writer and friendly. I see pieces
of that at home but she must be exhausted by the end of the school day to
continue at home J She despises going to bed/brushing her
teeth/getting dressed in the morning/cleaning up and sharing with Delaney! I am hoping all of that is a phase. I cannot quantify how many colorings and
drawings she has brought home in the last year.
Maybe 5 per day? On average. She
is absolutely talented in coloring and free hand drawing; a girl after my own
heart. Her drawings are mostly
princesses and houses and rainbows but I am beyond proud of her color
incorporation! She is so colorful,
inside and out. She is such a beautiful girl in the way she treats other people and all her little plans to make things special. She's full of love and I am so honored to watch her grow.
Of all the bedazzling moments I have witnessed in her 5
years – my most proud moments are those when she steps out of her comfort zone. When she lets herself enjoy the moment. I just like to see her try. I will never, ever be disappointed in her
trying. I have a feeling the year ahead
is going to be very exciting for Emmy.
She will start Kindergarten in the fall and get her own backpack. Two very big things for her. I hope this is
the year she explores a little more and smiles every day.
Happy 5th
Birthday Emmy Rose – I love you!!
