Dear Cloudburst,

My one and only daughter,
Happy Birthday! I can't believe that I am a mother of a big 6-year-old. I still remember the day you were born, with your dark hair and tan skin (yes you were born darker than I am in the summer).
I hope you felt special that morning. We had a special monkey bread breakfast (no nuts!) and then you got to go to school, where you received a special delivery from a special visitor! Yes, Dad came to visit his Princess and brought you some beautiful pink roses. You were beaming when I came to pick you up with your friend for a special lunch!
We decided to start a new family tradition this year- we are going to alternate years for family and friend birthday parties. But you have made such a good friend in school and wanted to share your birthday with her. What could be better than a birthday lunch? And let me tell you, you and your brothers were beyond excited when I said you could each get a Happy Meal and play!
Later, Dad came home from work and you opened your birthday presents. You were so excited to see new clothes, books, a towel, a sleeping bag and things for your new room (this is when you moved into a bedroom by yourself)! The whole day, you were so grateful and appreciative of the special attention you were getting.
I still can't believe what a good little reader you are. This morning I noticed your light on at 6:30 AM, and you were up reading! You work so hard to figure out the words, and now you are really getting into some great stories.
You and Sunshine are such good friends. I hope you don't miss rooming with him too much! Now you both have sleeping bags, so maybe it's time for a sleepover.
After your requested dinner of chocolate chip pancakes, we went to the Build a Bear workshop, where you and your brothers got to each make a new friend. You chose to dress your bear in baby clothes. You will be getting a new baby brother in just 11 weeks, and you are already telling me how you will help. I am glad you will be old enough to remember this new baby when he comes to our family.
Here you are with your brothers and your bears. You do have a great time with your brothers. You are such a good helper with Tornado; he doesn't even ask me for drinks anymore, he just goes straight to you. And you and Sunshine spend hours outside together, even if no one else is outside with you. I'm glad you guys feel like you are on the same team.
After building a bear, we came home to eat a bear! I had a few helpers who made sure the balloons were decorated just right.
This year we made a puzzle cake that is made out of differently shaped cupcake holders that fit together. You sure do love your sweets! You can eat chocolate faster than anyone I know. That's why your eyes are so brown, right?
As I was sitting downstairs at the end of this fun day, I kept thinking about how big you are getting. I just want to hug you tight enough to keep you small forever! But I am so proud of you and the good choices you are making. I want to remember all your fun smiles and crazy forward rolls. And wouldn't you know it, as I was thinking about how much you are growing, you came downstairs and showed me your first loose tooth! You really are getting big. I love you very much!
Love, Mom