Happy 4th Birthday Addie Kate!

Well, it's happened. My little girl, my baby, my toddler, has officially turned into a big girl. A four year old. One year from being five, which is one year from 5K - real school. I knew they'd fly by. I knew those days would get here. I knew to relish in every fleeting moment. And I did. I loved every one. I loved through tears, I cried through laughs, I did it all. And they still flew by. As much as I know not to "cry because it's over, but smile because it happened," and I do, I'm still so very sad as I long for those days past. I long to rock her and snuggle her, although she does still let me pretty regularly, it's just not the same. 

She is so much fun now. She is learning by leaps and bounds. She is a helper, a pleaser, a do-er, a challenger. She is loving, caring, generous, giving, thoughtful. She is demanding, attention-seeking, funny, silly, dramatic. She is girlie. And she is ours. All ours. We get to enjoy every one of these traits daily. 

The things she loves - princesses, singing, dancing, gymnastics, dressing up, playing with babies, play dough, her little brother, watching movies and cartoons, coloring, writing, drawing, reading, playing outside, going to friend's houses, friends coming to our house, swimming.

She can add anything on her fingers. It's a skill she learned in about three minutes and has continued with it and loves it. We are working on writing lower case letters and numbers. She is about to die to learn how to read, and I have no doubt she can do it, it just needs to become a priority. (As in, life just needs to give me a weekend. Please.)

We had her 3K conference a week ago. She was in the above average column for everything, just as I knew she'd be. She loves a challenge and craves knowledge and learning. And I love it. Her teachers spoke to me about how much she can do and how much they'd love to teach her, but their curriculum coordinator advises against too much. And being a teacher myself, I agree. I strive to find a balance between appropriate and challenge. 

To my sweet baby girl: You have given me the most challenges so far in life! From keeping you happy and polite, to just trying to get you into this world, yet I love you more than life itself. Please, my precious girl, continue to be the beautiful girl that you are, both inside and out. Continue to think of others as you do, and continue your love for family, God, and learning. Thank you for making me one of the happiest people on Earth. I love you with all my heart, to the moon and back again. 

XOXO, 

Mommy 

[The above picture is of Addie Kate's birthday breakfast. She had candles in her pancakes (her favorite) and princess decorations. Uncle Paul and Aunt Sue were there, so life was good for her!]