Mimi the Magnificent!

Mimi constantly amazes me, every single day. Of course, I don't remember much from when I was five,and most of what I do remember is related to being in a new house/neighborhood, but I know I wasn't reading yet!

Mimi is one of those lucky and rare people...a truely self-motivated learner. She had me make a number line the other day (she saw one in a book), so she could figure out addition problems. She will also make sure that she completes her "homework" for preschool (generally writing letters), when I hardly can remember to look at their folders! She keeps me in line!

Mimi goes to a computer preschool twice a week (when we're all healthy that is), and comes home with a list of new words that she has successfully learned. She reads and records short "books" and then listens to them. She loves the Science portion of the program, where she gets to track the development of a chick from the day the egg is laid until who knows when (she's currently on day 157...the chicken is not quite full-grown, but is definitely more than a chick now!)
Recently, they took the 4 and 5 year-olds into a conference room to do "testing" on what they have learned from the program. Mimi sat next to a 4 year old boy named Brixtin. His mother told me this story the next time we had class. In his words, "She was just so smart and knew everything, and her hair was so beautiful. If I was younger I would have married her*. So I just said to her---You are so HOT!" His mom asked what Mimi's response was. "She said, 'You're crazy!'" I laughed so hard when she told me this story! It is SO Mimi right now...she has definitely turned into the "EW--boys have cooties!"(not that she knows the word cooties;) stage. Anytime she sees someone kissing, we hear, "Eeww, gross! They kissed!" complete with retching sound effects!
*Apparently when he was 2, he loved long hair so much that anytime he saw a girl with long hair he'd say, "I'm going to marry her!"

She recently told me that she doesn't want to get married. When asked why she replied, "I don't want to be a S...sen! (The last name of the (in)famous Adam of her former marriage designs.) I didn't want to make a big issue of it , so I told her she didn't have to worry about it for a long time, but that if she changed her mind it would be fine. The next day she asked me if it was ok for a four-year-old to have a boyfriend. I explained that no, not really it wasn't ok, and kind of gave her a small idea of what boyfriend and girlfriend are. She said, "Oh, I didn't know that 's what boyfriend/girlfriends are. I just thought that a boyfriend was a boy that you share with and like doing things with." I haven't heard much from her on the whole issue since that day.

Our Mimi is a fantastic big sister for Buddy and Sweetsa. She is always wanting to help and keep them happy. She and Buddy love being together and playing or doing what the other is doing. I often find them sharing a seat at the comuter helping eachother figure out a riddle or game. It really is heartwarming. Today as she was sharing Cheetos with Sweetsa, she turned to me and said, "Mommy, it makes me so happy to share with Sweetsa!" I'm so glad she's learning that making good choices really does help her to be happy.

Yesterday, we had a "little girl party" for her Birthday. What a fun time for those girls! They dressed up, and danced, and decorated to their hearts' content. Mimi was s happy to have all her little friends come over and celebrate with her. This is the first time we have done a friends party, normally we just invite the aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents over for cake and ice cream. Buddy got so excited for the "celebration" he started calling it his party. Mimi didn't even seem to mind and let him participate in all the activities (yes, even the dressing up! But when he saw Daddy helping a neighbor move, he went to do the manly thing and supervised the rest of the move.)


Mimi, we are so glad you are in our family. you teach us so much and show so much love and caring for others. Thanks for coming to our family! Happy 5th Birthday, sweet Mimi-girl! We love you.