5 Years Old!

Today, Rebecca Lee Cisneros is a five-year old!

So hard to believe that it has been five years since she came screeching into the world, full of determination, curiousity, and loving cuddlieness.  There's no doubt that she is growing up - far too quickly for this mama.  But I also wouldn't have it any other way.  It's such an amazing thing to see her growing, learning, exploring, and experiencing all the world and life have to offer. 

At five years old, Rebecca is still quite small for her age.  We'll get her exact stats next week, but she is somewhere in the neighborhood of 32 pounds.  Not sure on the height.  She wears a size 3 in most brands, though jeans in a 4 Slim fit her perfectly....as long as the waist is adjustable.  Dresses remain the only acceptable article of clothing in Rebecca's mind.  Though she occasionally consents to wear pants or jeans, she really doesn't like to do so.

She is learning to read and loves her stage 1 reader books, as well as crafts, puzzles, dolls, all kinds of little playthings (e.g., Zoobles, Polly Pockets, Squinkies), and her beloved stuffed animals. She enjoys riding her "car" to the park nearby and taking the dogs on walks, which she is now able to do independently (we're with her, of course, but she can hold them on their leash). Her Leappad and iPads belonging to Mama and Grammy are some of the things she likes best, though we limit how much "screen time" she is allowed to have on them.

Rebecca continues to adore our dogs, Paddington and Sydney, though she is quite partial to Sydney (and vice versa!). Doing crafts with Grammy is her favorite pastime. Her favorite store is Michaels, because that's where she likes to buy craft supplies. Rebecca is very creative and is always making things. This week, she used scraps of fabric to make decorations. She also loves to help mama cook and bake and garden. With daddy, she loves running around playing with their nerf guns, Spiderman web sprayer, and general running, hiding, and shrieking.

In school, she is known to be quite articulate (one of her teachers describes a conversation with Rebecca as being "just like talking to an adult!" and sits patiently and quietly.  Rebecca is very sensitive; she is concerned for others' feelings and cries easily if she gets in trouble or thinks she has hurt someone else's feelings.  However, she also has a definitive stubborn streak!  Rebecca looks forward to share day at school and is always trying to win the award for the best (some superlative) of the day. She is still a snuggler and cuddler. If she had it her way, she'd still sleep with us every night and rub our earlobes until they fell off!  On Friday mornings, when Mama doesn't have to go to work, we have Mama-Rebecca Snuggle Time in the big bed and watch television and read books and cuddle.  When Grammy is here, Rebecca sleeps with her.  She is kind and loving, always gives many hugs and kisses.

We love our sweet, five-year old Rebecca so very much.  We are excited to see all the new, fun, and exciting things that being five will bring her!