My biggest little girl is four!

Today is June's 4th birthday!  We are having cupcakes after dinner tonight, and then we will have a cake at the birthday party this weekend.  I still haven't decided if June should open her presents today or wait to open her presents with Roxy this weekend.  Not sure yet.  Andy isn't a big fan of waiting on presents, so I imagine it will be happening tonight.  Grandma Deb & Grandpa Chris are arriving tonight, so we will be eating the cupcakes I made today!  Yummy!!

Dear June,

Junie - spoonie - pantaloonie, as goofy as my rhyming nickname is for you, at times you are even goofier.  You do the most outrageous things that have your dad & I in stiches over your antics.  You remain the spunkiest, silliest, and most determined little one in the house.  Unfortunately, you have picked up some nasty habits from pre-school this year, but they were bound to come at some point.  Back-talking, yelling, lying, and sneaking are some of these things.  But I have heard that age three is just full of this fun stuff.  Regardless, your inventiveness in getting what you want, despite what we say, is keeping us on our toes everyday.  It is pretty fun and funny, but also frustrating, and we are continually amazed at how clever you have become.

Luckily, your third year also brought a sweetness toward your sisters that you hadn't displayed previously.  One that also comes with maturity.  You continuously share your toys and include them in your games, and that makes for a much more harmonious home-life for everyone.  There are still the occasional dust-ups over toys/games/food/spaces/dishware/crayons/paper/books/blankets/animals/swings/water/clothes/needigoon? but things have gotten so much better compared to last year.

You have learned so much so quickly.  And you remember everything that you hear said & are more than willing to repeat what you have heard to anyone & everyone who will listen.  Your favorite phrase to begin you kernels of insight into this world is "Well, teacher/mommy/daddy says .... ".  It is so adorable, even if half of the time you are making it all up.  ;)  You know and understand more about the world than I ever thought a four year old could.  You are constantly striving to learn and improve yourself.  Your teacher says that you are easily the hardest working kid in her class, made up (until this day) of 3, 4, and 5, year olds -- now only 4 & 5 year olds since you are the youngest in your class. 

Your fascination with the world around you, your adventurous spirit, your constant smile, and your relentless energy, capture the hearts of everyone you meet.  As your Grandpa Chris said on his first meeting of you; you are a gem.  It is so true, to all of us you are a gem of priceless value, and we are so blessed to have you in our lives.  I cannot wait to see what you do with this world before you. 

I will love you always and forever my baby girl!

Love,
Your mommy  

Cora is 18 months old!

For about the past 2 months I have been saying that Cora was about 18 months old.  On your fourth baby, you kinda stop counting months after the first birthday.  Well, today she really is 18 months old! 

Dear Cora,

I don't know if I can call you my most precocious baby, but you are definitely in the running for the title.  You are advanced in so many ways.  You really seem to "get" what is going on around you.  You are able to follow directions that I wouldn't expect you to understand.

You are constantly surprising me with your cleverness.  You love puzzles, and exclaim "I did it!" proudly, and give yourself a little clap when you get a piece in place.  When you get stuck on a piece and frustrated, you call "Mom, help!".  It is absolutely adorable to watch you learn, and to be able to speak what you are feeling!

You have been climbing since before you could walk.  Your balance and agility is amazing.  To watch you counter-balance as you lean to grab something out of the pool, or stand on the therapy swing and jump up and down...these are skills way beyond your age.

You are so sweet to your siblings, your cat, and your parents.  Always giving hugs and kisses.  You get sad when others are sad or fighting.  As long as mommy is near, you are brave when you hear loud noises or things happen that make you nervous.  You are always exploring, and pushing your boundaries.  Your favorite place to play is on top of the dining room table, even though you know you aren't supposed to climb up there.  You also enjoy trying to join in your big sisters imaginative play sessions, and amazingly seem to understand a lot of what is going on there as well.

You are a beautiful little girl inside and out.  Your big brown sparkly eyes, cute little pouty lips, and your petite little body that is constantly in motion, combined with your sweet disposition and clever toddler mind are truly a blessing to our family.  We are so lucky to have you, so lucky to know you, and so so lucky to get to watch and help you grow into an ever more beautiful young lady.

Love,
Your Mommy

Rare Rainstorm

During one of our few & far-between rainstorms this past Saturday, the sun peeked out below the clouds as it set.  It turned the raindrops orange & a double rainbow popped up against the black clouds.  It was amazing!  I have never seen anything quite like it before!  I wish the pictures could do it justice, but they just don't capture the vibrant orange in the air.