Our 4-Year Old

Every year I write Jack and Lily a birthday letter, partly because I'm a sappy, reflective, nostalgic person, but, mostly because I want my children to remember all the details of their childhood.


That being said, Happy Birthday, Lily!

Dear Lily,

I'm still shaking my head that you're 4! Time goes by way too fast...

You are perfect in every way, and for that, we are grateful. Not only are you smart and healthy, but you are gorgeous. Your dark hair frames your delicate face just so. Your wide smile lights up a room, and your tiny waist and long legs make you look like the dancer you are.

Your quirky-easily startled-healthy eating-knows exactly what she wants self reminds your dad and I of me. Your silly-make you laugh-sometimes moody-I'll talk when I'm ready-knows how to get exactly what she wants self screams Daddy.

At least once every day, you make your dad and I shake our heads at you...most likely because you've said something hysterically witty, or because you've just tried to outsmart us once again. Your problem-solving and intelligent thinking amaze us. You often catch us in our "parenting white lies", and reason through them, making our tactic fail. Since starting pre-school (which you love) you are obsessed with numbers, letters and phonics. You're such a teacher's daughter. Your memory is as sharp as a tack, and I pray that that makes school a breeze for you one day.

You are a girly-girl who loves to mother her little brother, and who has yet to figure out how to push him around. We actually gave you permission to hit him back the other day, because it never occurred to you to do so. Don't make us eat our words, please. You love your privacy, and are working through this whining thing you have going on. Maybe that will magically go away now that you are four. You fight sleep like it's the plague...always afraid you're going to miss something. Nap times are our biggest battle. If those are the worst problems you give us, though, we are super lucky.

Either way, we love your many moods, and couldn't be prouder and happier to call you our Big Girl. Keep having fun...Happy days ahead...

Love you to pieces,

Mama

(*look how much you've grown in one short year*)