Dear Isabelle - 5 years old

Dear Isabelle

Or "Belly" as we all like to call you. Ideally, we'd call you "Belle" but since Mummy's close friend is also called "Bel", we decided to call you "Belly" instead. 

You've turned 5! 

You had a princess-themed party and you were so looking forward to it! Mummy also truly enjoyed organising you a pink princess party. We had your children birthday party two weeks later because we decided to go away for your birthday weekend. You and Samuel got birthday vouchers which gave you free entries to Therme Erding in Munich, so we decided to take advantage of the chance before the vouchers expired (4 weeks). 

The weather forecast looked gloomy so we decided that we would have an indoor party at home with 7 other princesses. Mummy prepared crafts to make a mirror, princess wand and a princess magnet. All the girls gave their best shot at the crafts and it was so lovely to see the end result. 

When the rain stopped, you girls even headed out to the trampoline in the garden and we could play some games there before heading back indoors when it got too cold. 

This is the first time that you've had a children birthday party. Prior to your 5th birthday party, we always invited adult friends to celebrate. But with you getting older, you wanted to celebrate with your friends, so we decided to a children-themed party.

We so enjoy having you in our lives. You're such a talkative, smart and curious little girl. You love to bake and would often fight for kitchen space with your brother to make chicken nuggets, banana cakes or chocolate cookies. 

You've entered into your final (third) year of kindergarten. Your first year was a breeze because you thoroughly enjoyed going to kindergarten with your older brother. However, once your brother graduated from kindergarten, you went through a phase during which you absolutely refused to leave the house for kindergarten. That reluctance coupled with all the stress of corona measures, resulted in you staying home for 2 months before we attempted to get you back into kindergarten. 

I think a big part of your regression from kindergarten was because you missed your brother and you didn't have any close friends. You'd often tell me that you didn't play with anybody and played alone in the doll session. You're very independent though and would often enjoy having that quiet time playing on your own because you're surrounded by 3 older brothers at home. 

With time though, you finally found a close girlfriend, Ellie, whom you call "my best friend forever". Since then, you look forward to kindergarten more but you're still not fussed about having to go to kindergarten everyday. Mummy's happy to have you at home, so on average you go to kindergarten 4 times a week. 

You started learning how to swim in summer. We're so proud of you for overcoming your fear of diving into the water without your floats. You were so uncertain at your first session but you decided to muster all your courage to sit at the side of the pool while awaiting instructions. Within 2 sessions, you felt confident enough for Mummy to leave. Mummy enjoyed the 1-on-1 time driving you to the pool, waiting for you, popping by a nice playground on the way home before heading back. 

After that swim course ended, we got a spot for you at the swim club near our house. We walk there for 10 mins, change and Mummy heads back home to do some chores before picking you up again. It's such a joy to see you spread your wings and gain more independence. 

On Thursdays we go for crafting at our old place. The teacher prepares cool craft like lanterns and autumn decorations. Mummy enjoys bonding with you and having a keepsake to bring home with us. After crafting, we drive straight to your gymnastics class which you absolutely love. Your brothers go for their swim course at the same time. 

This craft was quite a test of Mummy's patience and perseverance! I had to split my time and effort between you and your friend, while paying close attention to the time in order not to be (too) late for your gymnastics class. But the result was so worth it! 

You have a gift of the gab. Hmm... I wonder where you got that from? Grandma says that whenever they pick you up for grandparents' day, you would talk to her non-stop in the back of the car. I wonder what you talk about! You would speak German to your grandparents but with us, you prefer to converse in English. 

You still allow Mummy to pick your clothes, which I'm so thankful! Left to your own devices, you'd often dress yourself in leggings and a top. That said, you loved your cinderella dress that you wore for your birthday. It was such a "WOW" experience for me to see your all dolled up as a princess. 

You love copying mommy. Whenever Mummy wears some make-up, you would ask to apply the "shiny thing" on your lip as well. 

You got some barbie dolls for your birthday and you absolutely love to play dress-up with your dollies. Watching you play with girly toys reminds Mummy of my own girly childhood! I'll forever be grateful that God chose you to be in our family. You've truly completed our family! 

You've been praying for a baby sister since our 5th baby went home to be with the Lord. Mummy just turned 41. It's all in God's hands!!! Mummy is still amazed at your childlike and persistent faith! 

You've got such a compassionate heart and would sometimes talk about baby Noel. We didn't know if baby #5 was a boy or girl but we named the baby "Noel" since baby went home to be with the Lord over Christmas. You do struggle with the "why's" of life. Why did baby Noel die?? Why do other people have their baby sister / brother whereas you've been praying for a year but nothing happens. We've been talking to you about trusting in God's best plans for our family. Maybe God has one more for us, maybe not. We don't know what the future brings but we know that we can keep praying and trusting in God for *His* best for our lives. 

Mummy said to you that she would miss this phase of your life being small. And I said jokingly, "Shall we pray that you won't grow older?" You replied, "But Mummy, growing up is the best part!" That's so true darling. Growing up is the best part. Mummy may cling onto your childhood knowing full well you may be our last baby, but with God, we can look forward to every season of our lives. It's still bittersweet though! 

Our prayer for you is to know how deeply-loved you are by God and us. That your life was carefully planned and orchestrated by Father God and He has chosen you to be salt and light in your generation. May you be fearless to live for truth and yet have such a gentle and caring heart for others. That you would hear the voice of God at a young age and have faith that can move mountains!! Life is meant to be lived to the full and with God, we can have the most amazing adventures in life! You go girl! 

Love

Mummy & Daddy