happy birthday, sweet girl.

dearest nika.

today you are five.

5.

you are still my baby in so many ways.

and yet... you are becoming such a big girl.
some of my favorite times are when it is just you and me.
like today at the pumpkin patch.
that is when your personality really shines.

your resilience amazes me.

you are so smart. you love to learn.
you get so excited to take the bus to school.

you thrive on attention.

you love to cuddle.
next time that stranger does not need a hug, mmkay?

you are an outgoing little girl. but only if you initiate the contact.
once someone turns the attention on you... shy girl appears.
you love music. and you really love to dance.
and i am pretty sure you are the only home girl in this family that has moves.

you love your brother so much. you really look up to him.

and you love your sister so much too.

except for when she bosses you around.

i refer to you as the mini-payton.

you mimic everything she does. 

you love food. any food. even food that you find on the ground.

you are so easygoing. yet... the drama rears its head.
you are so happy. and you usually have a smile to share.
you get your feelings hurt easily... especially if you fear you are being left out.

you crack me up with the things you say.
nika, who's the russian?
me!!
i love that. makes me grin every time.
we are so proud of you and your heritage. we will cherish that forever.



happy birthday, sweet girl.
we are just shy of three years together... and we have a lifetime to come.
i love you.
and your daddy does too.