To Abigail on your 4th birthday. ...

To my sweet and spunky girl…..

How is it possible that you are now 4 years old?   Seems like just yesterday you were a little girl who relied on me for everything.  Now you are a girl who can do a million things on her own (even if you should not!) and you are growing every day!

This past year has been one filled with fun and learning – not only for you but for our entire family.  You are so much more grown up now than you were just last year.  You are a sponge that continues to soak up any and all knowledge that you come across. 

We have experienced many new adventures this past year with you.  Your dad and I are continuing to learn how to harness your willpower and tenacity.  We won’t hold you back, but will try to guide you on the right path to a successful future. 

 

You continue to love to draw, color, cut and create projects.  I love to see what your creative mind comes up with!   There is always a story or song behind your creations and it never ceases to amaze me how you come up with these things!  I understand your love of glue while doing projects, but I am hoping you soon realize that you don’t need a ton each time you want to attach 2 pieces of paper!!!  Dad loves finding your little notes and letters that you leave on the smallest spaces on his papers that are on his desk.  Yes, sometimes you should not be writing on things of his, but he does smile when he sees them – trust me!

Dogs – ever since you were born, your love for the canines in the world is ever growing.  With the addition of Watson to our family – this love is even more pronounced.  This past year you have watched me train Watson and you have fully stepped up to the plate to help!   I love it when you work with the dogs and they are so happy to eat treats from your hands!!!   You are a huge help when your dad and I wrangle Watson to clip his nails.  You talk calmly to him and sing him songs.   Koda and you – boy, are you 2 buddies!!! Yes, he does get annoyed by your boundless energy or your idea of wanting him on a leash for long periods of time, but deep down he loves you and the snuggles you give him.  When Beaker comes over to play or spend the night – your heart almost bursts with love.  It is fun to see you with all of these crazy dogs – melts my heart!!!

This past year you have shown us your love of nature.  No, I am not talking the camping kind of nature, but rather the creatures and features of our great outside world!   You love to find the birds that are making the noises, learning about the plants/trees around us, and telling us all the cool facts about the animals you know!  The pinecones, the acorns, the leaves – all are things that you learn from and it makes dad and I proud to see you loving nature and learning from it.  Japanese beetles have been a highlight too – so many of them around to look at and learn from.

You have shown us how much you love your family – not just dad, me, Koda and Watson – but your grandmas, your papas, Big A, Jamie, Uncle Tom.  I know, I can’t forget your love of Andrew, Erin and their cat Berlioz!!!  It makes us feel so happy to see your excitement when we visit our family – you have a special connection with each one of them.  They truly love spending time with you too – but sometimes they would like 5 seconds to go to the bathroom in peace or take a deep breath! 

As you embark on your next year – there are some things we want you to know….

-Your dad and I love you more than we can express in words.  You are our world and we love our little family, even if it is crazy at times!
-Continue to enrich your love of animals and nature  - there is so much exploring and learning to do!!
-Embrace the changes that are coming for you academically.  4K is just the beginning of some amazing years full of learning.
-Know that the setting of limits/rules is not meant to punish or hurt you but yet we are doing it to guide you to a successful life.
-We will take more adventures and experience as much of life as we can possibly fit in!  
-No matter where we are, the doors will not be locked and we will be able to get out. 
-You will continue to grow each and every day….getting bigger and bigger just like daddy!

Your dad and I will continue to do our best at being your mom and dad.  We might not always see eye to eye, but know that we are trying and learning right alongside of you.  Sometimes we might stumble or fall – but together as a family, we will try again and succeed.  The past years have been a whirlwind of highs and lows and as you grow and learn that will continue.  We love to hear your great belly laugh over the smallest things and you bring a smile to our faces and hearts on even the longest/hardest days.  Abigail, you are truly spit-fire who we are beyond blessed to call our daughter.

We are looking forward to experiencing life with you and see how far we can go!!

Stay strong, stay focused, stay YOU!

Enjoy being 4 – as with past years, it won’t last long!!!!

Love, Mom