joy of four

I loved watching Rosie walk wide-eyed into the dining room on the morning of her birthday and light up at seeing her new tiny bicycle on the table.  It took her about two seconds to figure out how to ride it.  She is so determined to be a grown up and asks about once every day, "Mommy, do I look like a Mommy?"  or says with a note of deep longing in her voice, "Oh I wish I could be a grown up."  I guess that is the fate of being the littlest of three girls, but I tell her I am so happy she is still my little girl.  I tell her I'm happy she is four, smiling and sincere as can be, but in my head I'm saying, "NO!  Four!?  Where has my baby gone and where did this big grinning smart running jumping climbing child come from?"

She tries to skip over picture books and look at chapter books instead; she can't read a word, but she flips through the pages for ever so long as if she was really reading.  Well, she can read at least one word:  Rosie.  She's been writing her name for months now and it's precious. She loves to play outdoors and can hardly sit through our little Bible reading and hymn every morning before she is itching to run out to the tire swing and have a spin.  And oh how she loves her aunties and uncles and cousins!  We had such fun visiting with Auntie Holly that weekend.  My girls adore her and I think if they could live with Holly they might choose to. My mother-in-law made that amazing butterfly cake for the birthday celebration we had when we were in Spokane; isn't it cute?

Happy birthday, my darling Joy-Joy.  I am so thankful for all the cuddles and laughter and smiles and beauty you have brought into yet another year of my life.