My Brynlee,
You're four! Four-years-old. I can't believe it.
The other day, on the way home from the dentist, you and I had a talk about growing up. You told me that someday you will be the mommy and I will be the grandma. And when that happens you will take your kids to the "kid dentist" and you will have to go to the "mommy and daddy dentist". The dentist where you "don't even get to pick a prize"! And someday, you said, you and the daddy will want to go watch a mommy and daddy movie. And so you and the daddy will go to the movies. And I'll be the grandma, so I will stay home and babysit your kids!
And you're right. Someday that will happen. Someday you will be all grown-up. Someday you won't need me to snuggle you before bed, or tell you that you can't have a treat before dinner. Someday you will insist that pigtails are for babies, and pink is no longer your favorite color. Someday, when you're the mommy, you will understand the extent to which a mother loves her daughter.
I'm afraid that, that someday, is much sooner than any mommy would ever want it to happen.
And because of that I'm going to love you. Cherish you. Hug you. As MUCH as I possibly can. And believe me, that's a whole lot!
****
You have absolutely loved pre-school with Miss Jenni. I was visiting with Miss Jenni the other day and she proudly charged you as being one of her best students. EVER. Which is quite a compliment as she's taught years of pre-school and you are a year younger than the age group of kids that she usually teaches. She said that you grasped concepts quickly, are excellent at following directions and are always kind and considerate of your classmates and their feelings. It made me proud. I was nervous when we first signed you up for preschool. I was nervous because you were nervous. You have always been extremely bashful and timid in unfamiliar situations. I knew that pre-school would help you overcome a lot of these anxieties, but I was nervous still the same. Pre-school has helped you come out of your shell. When you were younger you would hide your little face and not respond when anyone acknowledged you or talked to you. You don't do that anymore. You're still fairly reserved in new or unfamiliar situations, but your timidness is accompanied with a quiet confidence.
You are very observant. You love to watch, examine and take in all that is going on around you. You remember details that I forget or never notice in the first place. Because you usually don't enjoy being center of attention, you instead spend a lot of your time listening and observing. Nothing goes unnoticed with you.
Arts and crafts are by far your favorite pastime. You love to create. You deliver handmade cards to dad, Jace and I at least once a day. You love to make bead necklaces, to make "books" by stapling together all your freshly colored masterpieces, and to paint, draw and color. Your new favorite thing is to print coloring pages off the internet. You could do it all day if I would allow. Your artwork is creative and colorful. It always makes me happy.
About a year ago you and I made a deal; as long as you stayed in your clothes all day long you could chose what you did or didn't wear to bed. To this day you sleep in your underwear. Every night you put on your pajamas. We'll brush teeth, go potty, say prayers, tell stories and then when it's time to go to bed you'll ditch your pajamas before finding comfort between your blankets.
Pink is your favorite color. Tom and Jerry your favorite cartoon. And you absolutely love vanilla ice cream on an ice-cream cone. You hate socks, having "boogies", taking any kind of medicine, and when your hair gets in your face. You wear 3T clothing and a size 8/9 shoe. You have learned to "pump" on the swing and are trying to learn to jump rope. You aren't into dolls or dress-up but love stuffed animals. You love to go on treasure hunts around the house. You will put on your backpack, put a headband around your forehead, turn on a flashlight and inspect the house for "gadgets" gathering bobby pins, stickers, toys and whatever else you happen across.
You're very particular about how you like things. A bit of a perfectionist. You like your blankets to be straight. If your pants or shirt sleeves are to long they must be rolled up. Twice. And they must be rolled evenly. Your socks must be without crease. Every toy must be taken out of the tub before you will wash your hair. I suppose you get these characteristic from me. But sometimes, my dear, it's extreme.
Your dad is your best friend. You love him. Long to be with him. It's perfectly sweet; your two's relationship. At bedtime it's my job to get you ready for bed and then dad's job to tell you stories. You have your dad's imagination and his stories feed your mind. I can push you on the swing, but dad pushes you higher. I can jump with you on the tramp, but dad throws you in the air while jumping. I can get you cereal, but dad gives you more. Dad's your hero. You idolize him.
Brynlee, you are such a joy. To me. To your dad. And to your little brother.
We love you, all of you. And wouldn't change a thing about you.
Happy Birthday, my beautiful four year old.
Love you bigger than the sky,
Mom
3 comments:
Happy Birthday Brynlee! Kim, that was a beautiful letter!
You made me cry because my Brynn has just decided that pink is not her favorite color and that pigtails are for babies. They really do grow up too fast!
Love you Brynlee! (Oh and I love that last picture).
Alex sleeps in his undies too! He goes to bed with pajamas on and mysteriously wakes up with them shoved between his bed and the wall.
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