It was gorgeous today, this first day of November, when winter begins in the lower Midwest.

It is her sixth November.

 

The little angel was determined to wear her new snow boots, despite the seventy-degree temps.

She can see through my attempts to get her to smile for real.

 

She fearlessly climbed a very tall rock.

 

I was happy and sad to learn she didn't need me to hold her on the way up.

 

She became the spiderweb queen, and I retired to princess.

 

She doesn't always listen to me anymore, now that she's five.

She has her own ideas.

Sometimes, she's determined to go her own way.

 

A cautious toddler, she's become a courageous girl.

 

It's a relief she still looks back to make sure I'm behind her.