Happy 5th birthday Moo!

Dear Myra,

Our little Myra Moo. It is such a joy to be your mama and dada. You fill us with such immense pride and humility. You are, first and foremost, a wonderful caregiver. Your kisses make us melt. You fill your words and actions with such emotion and love.

We love how you whisper messages into our hands to take with us and seal them with kisses.

You take great care of your brother and protect him fiercely. But you do have a mean streak and hold grudges. You will retaliate if you feel scorned or misunderstood. You are very sensitive. It hurts your feelings when we call you a “wrecking ball.”

You are straightforward with us when we wrong you. We love your frankness and candour.

You are 5 going on 15. You love pop songs, bubblegum and getting your nails or hair done. You have an incredible fashion sense and can make anything look good. You make sure you have accessories for special outings like the necklace and bracelets you put on just to get on the plane or go to the dentist.

You always know where anything is that we’re looking for. Especially when you shouldn’t know where these things are. Such as matches, pills, nail polish remover, chocolate, etc.

You make us laugh when you come up with rhymes and songs that are improvised and hilarious. Like the time you were riding your bike down a hill: “Don’t forget your moo moo. You don’t want a boo boo.” Or when you dressed like Snow White, laid down and waited for a kiss. When no one came you sang: “Some day “NOBODY” will come.”

We love how you refer to the absence of people as “Mr. Nobody”. As in, “who’s in the shower right now?” Myra: “Mr. Nobody.”

We love your number estimates that sound serious and convincing even though the numbers are made-up such as “sixty-forty” or “about forty sixty hundred hours”.

You still love the good things in life – chocolate, massages, baths and cuddles. And of course, swimming. When days are hot. When days are cool. We love how much you love to swim and how you try to dive under things and fix your hair when you come up for air.

We love when you play waitress and tell us the various options at your restaurant. ‘Which one do you want? We have chocolate and vanilla, or we have whipped cream so which do you want? Are you sure you don’t want the whipped cream?’

You enjoy cooking and baking for those you care about. Your specialties are hummus, kale salad, bread, pancakes, pizza and cookies.

You have made our family complete. We can’t imagine life without you. We are so lucky you chose us to be your parents. We are honoured to care for you and have you care for us.