I knew this day would come, but I didn't realize it would be so soon.
In the past six months, you've changed before our eyes. You are taller than my hips now...inches of growth on the outside, miles of growth on the inside.
You don't hesitate to go anywhere anymore. You wave goodbye - confidence glittering from your fingertips.
You use big words to express your big feelings. "I'm disappointed that you said that," you will say.
In the mornings, you choose an outfit, look in the mirror, and say, "Everyone will think I'm ten." Or you ask what I am going to wear so we can match.
We have conversations, you and I. People sometimes say that parents and kids can't be friends, but oh-we-are. The best. I could sit across from you for hours - staring at your picture-perfect face framed with yellow tendrils, listening to your dreams for the future.
At four and a half, you are outgoing and observant. You want to be noticed, cherished, and loved. You are serious about your art. You sings songs about God and the Holy Spirit, creating lyrics and pairing them with an operetta tune.
You like cheese pizza, ice cream cones, watermelon, and plain noodles. You like restaurants, parks, and classical music. You write, draw, and paint - daily. Last night, you asked me if I would teach you how to sew.
It's beginning. I'm needing to let go. You are becoming YOU. And what an articulate, admirable, attractive YOU...you are.
"We'll always be best friends, right?" I asked you yesterday. "Yeah," you said, "But when you get old, don't just sit around and watch TV like some old people do!" I held back laughter, "I promise."
When someone asks you how old you are, you always enunciate clearly, "four AND A HALF." I understand completely why you do. That 1/2 makes all the difference in the world.
So beautiful, Stephanie! Does it feel like yesterday that she was a little bundle of squishyness? She is beautiful! :)
So incredibly sweet. I am pretty darn sure our girls would get along like a house on fire.
I agree! Let's let them play together this fall, shall we?
This is lovely. She is growing up!
The matching. I love the matching.
Jack wanted to match me the other day, and I was quietly sad when he changed after jumping in the pool, because I don't know if he'll ever do it again. :)
Such a sweet post. Reminds me of life with my Zoelle!
What a sweet post! Time flies, doesn't it? I love your intimate descriptions of your daughter - it is so beautiful to be able to describe and capture the essence of who your child is at that exact moment in time. Love it!
Happy Half Birthday! She is lovely, as are you. I love how you love your kiddos and celebrate them so.
What a BEAUTIFUL post! You should be proud...very proud.
Oh, I am. Bursting with it.
You're making me want to break out the journals I have for each of my kids and get to writing!
You have journals for each of your kids in addition to blogging? I'm impressed!
Babies growing up is so sweet and so sad. Sounds like you are creating beautiful people for the rest of the world to enjoy!!
Awww....I can't believe she is four AND A HALF! I feel like I just read the four year old post! The pictures are gorgeous, especially the middle one with the wet hair.
It's incredible watching our little ones grow into themselves. And I agree - we can be friends, the best of friends.
I love this. What a precious post.
So touching. You have NO idea how precious these types of notes will be once she is 20. That's how old my baby girl is and I wish I could remember exactly what she said and did in precious moments. They are in my heart, but forgotten in my mind a bit. I think I'll write a note to my best friend now!
4 is such a great age!
(I think I've said that about every age. But it's true!)
What a smart, beautiful girl :)
I agree. Four is fun. I have a feeling that every single age is going to have a certain charm of its own.
I miss her! Give her a hug for me!!! :)
I will.
Also - THANK YOU for sending that package to the girls. They've been carrying their "dreaming notebooks" around everywhere.
Also - Kayla is using the stickers right now for a pre-bedtime craft.
Miss you.