dear clairegirl,

Today we went to the same small bookstore that I used to take you to as a baby. We bought chapter books, because girlie, you are a reader now. We read Charlotte's Web this afternoon and you pointed out all of the words on the page that you recognized. When Wilbur meets Charlotte, tears filled my eyes. Because I know what will happen and soon you'll know too.

Today you caught a salamander, named him Smally and put him in a jar. I said he could stay inside until Dad came home. You drew a picture of trees and taped it to the outside of the jar so that Smally could "see nature." You nervously touched his smooth skin when I opened the jar to free him. Five and a half is my new favorite age.

I love you, girlie.
Love,
Mama