Dear Arianna, (6 years)

Dear Arianna,

This year has been a little less eventful, than our past years. You haven't moved or had any new foster siblings, but you have continued to grow in wonderful ways. 
I love that you continue to entertain yourself so well. Your imaginative play takes you into your own world where animals can do anything and everything and made-up songs are always involved. You continue to question, and not just surface questions, but deep questions that most adults don't think about. 
You have continued in your piano lessons and started playing the violin. Your love for music continues to grow and you are the happiest when you are singing, dancing or listening to music (or doing all three).
You got to go to the beach twice this year, which has really fed your love of the movie Moana and shells. 
You lost your first teeth this year and each one has been a bit of a traumatic event, but as soon as we got them out you were ecstatic!
You also learned how to ride a bike without training wheels.  Which was not a traumatic experience at all!
You continue to grow and are now over 4 feet tall. We have never been able to keep up with you ;)
You have had some struggles. Your fear of bathrooms and showers has grown and you need someone to accompany you (which I guess most girls need anyway).  
Arianna, the light you have brought into our lives grows brighter all the time. As you have gotten older the depth of personality makes me look forward to our conversations. I am excited for your future. You have already made such a difference in the lives around you, I can only imagine the impact you will have as you get older.  
With all my love,
Mom

We did a Gingerbread decorating party for your birthday with a Moana cake...you had so many friends and way too much sugar!

For about 10 days these bestie/cousins are the same age!

We got the first snow of the season on your birthday!

We have continued the tradition...every year we go to Krispy Kream and get a doughnut to remember the night that Ari was born. I was standing in line to get my hot doughnut when my phone rang, and I found out Ari was on her way!