To My Girl on her Fourth Birthday

My sweet, sweet girl,

Today you are four.  And my how time does fly.  It feels like it was only a few months ago that I gave birth to you, last week you were learning to walk, and yesterday you were two.  But here you are-  a big girl.

You started preschool this fall.  You love it.  You love your teacher, your friends, Shelly the Turtle.  You ask to go to school on the off days.  Sometimes you even ask to go a few hours after I've just picked you up from there!  But I'm so happy you love it and that you're learning so much.

You are as sweet as pie and as sassy as molassess.  I have no idea what that means other than that I think you're great.  Just as you are.  

I think you are beautiful.  Not only on the outside, which, I swear, becomes more beautiful everyday, but also on the inside.  You're sweet and kind, gracious, funny, happy, joyful, loving.  Everything I could want in a kiddo.  Of course you act your age too.  Sometimes more than I'd like, but I know the good outweighs the naughty.  

You love to sing.  Since you go with Daddy to worship practice, you get to learn all the songs and then you come home and sing them for me.  I'll catch you in front of the mirror singing, or in the car when you think I'm not paying any attention.  You're joyful heart makes my own swell with joy.  

You're a girly girl through and through.  You love jewelry and dresses, nail polish and "tap" shoes, make-up (which I don't let you put anything on other than chapstick and the lightest pink eyeshadow possible) and nail polish.  

You love anything Disney Princess.  And you even act out the movies as you watch them.  Speaking of,  you're a little bit of a couch potato (which is partly my fault) but you love movies.  I've even gotten you to watch (and enjoy!) The Princess Bride, although there is a couple parts we have to avoid for now.  

And lastly, today you got your ears pierced.  You have been asking Daddy and Me for a little over a week.  We said we had to talk about it but that was mostly to see if you'd forget about it.  You didn't.  We had always said that whenever you wanted to get it done that it would be your choice.  Well here it was and you were not letting up.  

Every day you would ask. We finally said "yes" but had to let you know that it would hurt, even if only for a moment.  You were on the fence after that but quickly went back to wanting it done one your BFF Chloe wanted to get hers done with you.  It was final.  

So us mommas took you two girls out to get it done.  You went first and picked Hello Kitty earrings.  I didn't want to remind you that it would hurt because I was afraid you would chicken out.  You sat there so calmly, not knowing what was coming.  I felt so bad because I did.  But you did it.  You only cried for a few moments.  I held you and we hugged until the pain subsided.  Then you loved your newly pierced ears.  

My sweet girl.  You're getting so big.  And I'm loving every moment of every day.  No matter how you're acting that day, if you're being good or naughty, helpful or crazy (said: cArAzy!).  And even though it's going oh so very fast.  I love you.  Even more than the day you were born, if that's even possible.

Keep growing.  Keep learning.  Keep becoming who God has made you to be.  Keep being your amazing self.

I love you so, so much.

Momma.