It is September 10th and I start this post. I have usually started penning down birthday posts 3-4 months in advance but the last few months have been uncertain and here we are celebrating kuttyma’s sixth birthday in the city in Houston.

You grew stronger, taller, and smarter. I watched you struggle with emotions and words. I watched you conquer it all with a smile. I am still amazed how different you are from me. You handle situations and emotions better than I can ever do.

You learned to let your fingers create music and fell in love with it. You planned in detail your first restaurant. You drew pictures – animals, princesses and cakes. You wrote poems for birthdays and every other event. You started writing your thoughts on a diary. You learned to read and write Tamil. All proud moments. As a mother I couldn’t have asked for more.

I tried to get a handle of my temper as I watched you manipulate and try to get away from studying. From responsibility. You really know which buttons to push. I watched you storm around in anger and complain. I am glad you show your feelings and emotions.

You went from a kindergartener to a first-grader. You enjoy school. I am a little envious of your evident happiness in school. You make it sound so easy. Just like you made the transition from Australia to India to US. It is all a part of life for you. You face it head on.

I know you can fool a lot of people with your smile and curls and persona. But you are my little stubborn one. Once you latch on to an idea, you stick to it. You are determined to get it done. Right now you have made plans to go to China and Italy.

You my dear are my absent-minded one. The kind who would forget her head if it wasn’t screwed on. It amazes how a girl who remembers words I uttered 10 weeks ago would forget where she put her pencil 10 seconds back. It does make our lives more interesting.

Happy Birthday little one! May this year bring you lots of laughter and adventure!