By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

Charlotte Lechlitner, Winona Lake, is 5 ¾. Even at her young age, she knows the reason for the season. She’s looking forward to celebrating Jesus’ birthday with her dad, mom and new baby sister Annabeth. Photo provided by Bethany Lechlitner.

WINONA LAKE — “I love Christmas not just for the presents I get,” stated Charlotte Lechlitner, Winona Lake, age 5¾. “I like the holiday season because I love Jesus. I want everyone to know that Jesus loves them. That’s why he came at Christmas. It’s his birthday!”

Lechlitner doesn’t want a lot for Christmas this year. With a giggle she remarked, “I told Santa to bring me a Barbie Playhouse and a couple dolls. If I get too many toys, I have to store them at my Aunt Amanda’s house.” By the way, Aunt Amanda is one of Lechlitner’s favorite people in the world.

“I help put up the Christmas tree. We put the branches in by hand. We don’t have a real tree because my daddy (Richard Lechlitner) is allergic to pine. But our tree is one of the prettiest in the world. It has bright lights on it and all sorts of Christmas decorations. Mommy (Bethany Lechlitner) helps decorate too. But I do the most.”

Lechlitner has a new baby sister, Annabeth, who will be celebrating her first Christmas with the family this year. “I love my baby sister. I hold her, rock her and play with her. I asked Santa to get her toys that I can play with too. She’s too young to do much.”

She has her own ideas on picking out a Christmas gift for Annabeth. “If mom and dad give me the money, I’ll buy her a pound-a-peg toy. It will be fun to watch her hammer something.” Mom shakes her head.

However, older sister has big plans for her baby sibling. “I’m gonna teach her, first of all, how to crawl. I’m still good at that. Then we’ll walk and finally we’ll run. That’s something I’m really good at.” Lechlitner is quite an energetic young person.

Perhaps her baby sister has something to do with the fact that she wants to be a baby doctor when she grows up. “I want to work in a hospital. That way I can hold all the babies after they’re born. I also want to have a few babies of my own. I’m looking forward to being a mommy.”

This super intelligent little girl has been playing the violin for a couple of years now. “My mommy and Aunt Amanda both played the violin when they were girls. I get real nervous when I have to play for a big group of people, though. I don’t like being up front.” An impartial bystander believes she will grow out of her stage fright quickly. She’s a natural entertainer.

She loves both sets of grandparents. “They’re the best. In the wintertime I go sledding at Papa Stanley’s. Daddy comes too.”

This is the time of year Lechlitner goes with her mother to see “The Nutcracker’s Suit.” “Someday I’m going to dance on the stage. I love ballet. And the girls get to wear such pretty outfits.”

Right now, she’s busy taking Jujitsu with her father. “I’m a fighting girl. But we never actually hurt one another in class.”

This Christmas season has been a busy one for this little trooper. “My friend Jenna came over and we baked cookies. Mom helped a little. We’re going to share with family, friends and neighbors.”

She shouted, “Merry Christmas!” as she ran away to play.