6th Birthday Letter to Z

Dearest Z,
Every passing year has revealed something new about you.... You've surprised me like nothing has and nothing will, but one thing remained constant for the past 6 years now, you have always been my Rock star.
I try and try really hard every day to celebrate you as an individual, because for us as parents, that's very important. You might look like me (I believe you're way better looking) but you're your own person, own individual and for me there's nothing better than to celebrate 'Zoe' on your 6th. These 6 years of Z-Ness have made my life Z-full. I love your special ways that make you just you:

• The way you can go on talking for hours and nothing/no one can stop you. 
• The way small changes scare you (like your haircut) and you accept big things so easily (like sleeping all by yourself at night).
• You're the happiest with your books, and how you love to smell the pages of a new book. 
• You can do cartwheels but hate it when I say "Ride the bike without your training wheels"
• You can twist your face in any direction but cannot give a decent smile in front of the camera.
• Your unconditional love shows us how to accept and love people around you. 
• The way you get upset when I purposely forget to say "I love you" and kiss you goodnight. 
• You're my best workout partner who keeps pushing me. 
• The way your face lights up when we say ice-cream. 
• The way you love your school and are on the verge of tears when I say "Siksha isn't the best school"... You know I'm lying don't you? You are so scared to graduate from Siksha in couple of months, but then you're also looking forward to join the new school.
• You can do anything to please me, even though I don't want you to do that. 
• You love watching movies like mom and dad, and make sure you don't waste a lot of time in front of the television, because if you do you'll not get to watch the one movie you watch every month.
• How you've read Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well as Fantastic Mr. Fox again and again... Then there are days when you just want to read Julia Donaldson books one more time... just because you say she's still your favourite.
• How you make a fuss when I tell you what's for lunch or dinner and then eat it without creating any problem.

 These are just a handful out of a huge pile of things you do which have 'Zoe' written all over it.

Something that I loved about being your mom is the fact that everyday, I learn something new from you... Thanks Z, you have been my favourite teacher. Here are a few things you have helped me learn:

• No matter how much you try, you'll make lots of mistakes as a parent, but guess what.... you're the best parent for your child.  
• Becoming a parent has made me treasure the smallest of moments. I no longer look for happiness in big things, I can be very happy with little things in life. I treasure every moment, I cherish them, I love creating these little memories. If not for Z, I wouldn't have been able to understand this little (but very important) fact of life. And of course, with the child growing up at a super speed, you don't have any other option left.... Do you?
• Never give up!
  I've seen her struggle when she really wants to do something and finds it difficult. Like the egg and spoon walk she's mastered or the cartwheel. Then they're things she thinks she isn't ready for and she won't do it, till she's convinced.
• Smile! Z loves to smile (Alhamdulillah) she can smile at the smallest of things. The pets, her books, a tickle, dance moves, music, her school, her friends.... and so much more. You don't need a huge reason to smile.
• Every day is a new day.... whatever happens good or bad, she starts every day with the same zest and energy!
• Live in the present... Kids live for the moment, they don't bother about their past or the future. All they are worried about is the moment. Isn't that the best life lesson?
• DREAM and Dream BIG
  Z has such a vivid imagination.... she believes in dreaming about seemingly impossible things.... she says "you see Mumsy... it'll happen" and it does. She made me a bit of a dreamer myself.
• Love unconditionally
  When she loves someone, she doesn't hold back. Her parents, her friends, her teacher, her school, her cousin, her aunts anyone....
• Stay Curious! When you don't know the answer... Ask... Z never lets anyone stop her, if she has to know something she will ask. We try to give her as many answers as possible. Besides many other things I love this about her.
• Don't judge people... if Z hears anyone say anything negative about a person she needs to know the reason. She cannot, just cannot say something inappropriate about someone when she can't justify it. For her, she prefers seeing the goodness of people around her. For us, we can comment in an inappropriate manner about anyone just based on our assumptions. Do we even know that person well enough, that we start judging them?
• No wound, no hurt, no pain, no tragedy is big enough.... Everything can be turned right with a little kiss and a warm big hug! 
• Never do something that isn't you... Z is someone who loves being herself. No matter what... She love being Z and I just love that about her, I hope she stays the same, will keep her away from stupid peer pressure (looking back, I realise I was pretty much the same and Alhamdullilah I had a pleasant childhood and pretty decent teenage years)
• Grudges are a waste of time...
  I was unfortunately someone who doesn't forget easily and I did hold grudges. I just wasn't able to let go. Z entered in my life and I saw how things or what happens between 2 people, wasn't not crucial, people are more important. Such an important lesson for someone like me.
• When you've tried hard enough, it's ok to ask for help. Z is a girl who gives everything she tries her best, but we're humans and we are bond to be not so good at many things, she knows when she can't figure out things, she can ask for help. I now know, this holds true for me as well. I'm more open and ask for help when I get stuck.
• Friends are very important. There are some friends Z has had for a few years now, most of her school friends, and her 2 best buddies. Z believes in making friends from both the genders and she loves them to bits. Her favourite is her school friend N. ZnN argue, play, fight and then make up. I love seeing them together.
• Carpe diem!
  Another very powerful lesson. We adults have a terrible habit of ruining the moment we're living in. As a parent and an entrepreneur, I have so many things going around, and I forget to live in the moment. Children aren't like that. Z has shown me how important it is to seize the day/moment you're living in.
• Anytime is a good time to dance.... Even if it's in the middle of the night. Actually, I always believed in the power of dance, but I used to think that's just me. Z taught me, you don't need a reason to dance....
• It's ok to show your emotions, it's ok to cry till you feel better, it's ok to laugh till you cry.... it's ok to feel scared or confident... it's ok to be jealous and it's ok to correct yourself and remind yourself that being jealous will take you nowhere. It's ok to show you're angry and it's ok to be be mellow and zone out at times... we should not let these emotions rule our lives though. No wonder Inside Out is our favourite movie
  

Birthday Countdown Day 25: Planning a Party

Whew! That is the one word that describes my state right now. I can’t tell you how much hard word has gone into planning this party. Keeping Faizan and my busy schedule in mind, shopping had to be really rushed. 

I would have LOVED to have a party at home, but there might be a space/parking problem. Anyway, we have booked Gubacheez, and we love the space. We will do a post with pictures of the party post 29^th.

Message for the day: This is your first birthday party, hope it turns out to be an awesome one. 

Birthday Countdown Day 24: My bike rules

Z got her new bike for her 3^rd birthday, and does she love her bike or what. When we got the bike she didn’t understand the concept of paddling. Now she is a pro at riding her bike (obviously with trainer wheels), she reverses like a champ and also takes the bike easily in narrow bumpy lanes.

Message of the day: I love the fact that you are so determined and hell-bent to do things which you might not succeed at in the first go. Love you for that Z. Mwwwwaaaaaah!

Birthday Day: Day 23 Zefy Bhai my bud

As mentioned earlier Z has lots of buddies, she loves them all. Ask me, I came to realize she has just way too many friends while I was preparing the invitees list for her birthday.

Her best friend has to be Zeffy Bhai (her cousin), for sure. They can stay together for hours, without an argument. They live miles apart but the bond they share is something else (Masha’ Allah).

Message of the day: Always cherish this relationship. Always. You might argue, have difference of opinion, etc. but make sure you stay as connected as you are. 

Birthday Countdown Day 22: Of Z3s

Whoever coined the phrase 'terrible twos' hasn't lived with a three year old. Ask me, I have lived with Z-2 and Z-3 for a year each. I can easily say, threes mean being more stubborn, more emotional and more specific about things they want. Z-3 is definitely more emotional than Z-2, it doesn't take much for her to cry.

Z-3 is also more expressive, more loving, independent and oh-so-adorable.

Message of the Day: There is no harm in crying, but do not take advantage of your tears. If you know when to shed tears, learn the art of hiding them as well (again a reference point for future).

Birthday Countdown Day 21. Idiot box is still.... Idiot

What started as something to keep you away from television has become serious stuff for you now. Television has always been an ‘Idiot Box’ for you. You actually call it 'The Idiot Box'. 

You don’t like watching TV, and you don’t let us watch it as well. If you do allow us, it will be for 5-10 minutes at a stretch. 

You like watching your videos like Barney, Peppa Pig, Jungle Junction, etc. This is also limited to 10 minutes. 

Message for the day: I hope your screen time/TV viewing stays like what it is right now, forever. 

Birthday Countdown : Day 20 Auto Rides

You have become a pro when it comes to riding in an auto. I know of 5-6 years old who have never had the privilege of riding in an auto, which is not the case with you (thankfully). You travel in an auto almost daily, especially since I started the Reading Room. You don’t have an option now.  

You prefer riding in an auto, and you’ve made it extremely clear.

Message of the day: You have also learned how to stop an auto by waving your hand…. You do it so adorably. There is a little problem; the autowalah cannot see your hand the way you do it. Let Mumsy handle this for a bit... OK?