Some of the characters and behavior of Zara seen at this age.

She says thank you generously.
“Thank you dad, thank you mum, for bringing me out.” After a shopping trip.
“Thank you Auntie Minerva for cooking us dinner.” After dinner at home.
“Thank you mom for the story.” After bed time stories.
“Thank you mom, for doing revision with me.” After doing revision with her and scolding her many times for things she couldn’t grasp after a few telling.

She likes to join in adult’s conversation, and will share her thoughts as and when, but never being rude.
“Excuse me, can I say something here? …. (yada yada yada).”

She is getting more responsible in getting her homework done on a timely manner, revising her spelling / ting xie (听写) on her own before coming to me to go through with her.

She is generous with her money. E.g.
1) She stopped taking her RM5/week allowance from me, as she said I can collect the money and sponsor a World Vision gift on her behalf.
2) When I mentioned I was interested in a Thermomix but have no money, she went to the room and took out her life savings piggy bank and passed it to me. “You can take this and buy whatever you want.”

Rarely does she throw tantrum, but when she does, it’s normally because she’s very tired.

She makes friends easily, and plays well with most kids.

She dislike having male teachers.
Her class teacher this year is a male teacher, she told me she doesn’t like him.
She cried last weekend refusing to go to swimming class because they changed her teacher from a female to a male. When I asked her why, her reply, “I don’t like boys to touch me.”
(I was worried and probed further, wondering if the male teacher touched her inappropriately, she told me he just held her elbow when teaching her the stroke, but she didn’t like it.) o.O”

She can take a lot of my crap, like my shouting and unnecessary scolding (mostly happen during revision). She will wipe away her tears, and then continues listening me. In the end still says, “Thank you mum, for helping me.”
Making me feel very guilty.
However, she will insist I say sorry to her later.

These are all her mature qualities.

She still plays like a crazy kid, jumping on beds, climbing poles/trees.
Picky on her food.
Eating like a connoisseur, “This fried rice taste likes there’s no garlic and onion in it, I don’t like.”
She still bullies Zaria occasionally, giving her pinch, or a smack sometimes for no apparent reason; although most of the time they are best of friends.

This is Zara, my girl who’s turning into a little lady.