Julianna, 4 1/2 years old
Joyful. Lovely. Laughing. Observing. Deep. Thriving. Forgiving. Learning. Questioning. Analyzing. Memorizing. Shy. Tender-hearted. Empathetic. Quick-tempered. Organizer. Planner. Writer. Student. Athlete. Friend. Lower jaw out, fists at her side, heels dug in.
My love, my first born. You're a fire that refines me daily, molding me as I strive to mold you. We have as many differences as similarities. We have our perfect days and days when we drive each other crazy. All in all, I'd say we're pretty tight and "get" each other pretty well. Your dad and I watch you daily in awe of how you are growing into such a terrific young girl. How did you get so tall, so long, so grown?
You're a preschooler these days. School has brought you so much joy. It's easy to see you thrive equally as an independent student and as a social learner. And though I thought long and hard about home schooling you, you are most happy and content in the midst of your peers learning together with them. You're an excellent student. You follow directions, dive into your homework and projects, and don't rest until you've pushed for your highest level of proficiency. You make us so proud.
Ava and you are the best of friends. It amazes me how well you get along, considering how much time you spend together. You love to laugh and joke and make up words and play every game under the sun. Your most favorite activity, however, is streaking through the house after baths screaming at the top of your lungs. It's your mother's least favorite game. ; ) In fact, you have so much fun in the bathtub together you are now taking separate baths. : )
You love reading and are working on laying the foundation for a life long love of reading. Soon we will begin our first nightly chapter book together. It's got to be the perfect one. We've narrowed it down to three. I'm as excited as you are. : )
Merci. Verde. Adios. You are so into foreign languages these days. Mostly French, English, and some Norwegian. You are always asking how to say this or that in said language. You've exhausted my limited knowledge and moved onto asking others. If you hear someone speaking a different language, you're attention is totally and completely taken with them. I know your Mormor is chomping at the bit to get some Norwegian into your lexicon via travel to the vestland. : )
Your world has expanded as you've become a friend to many. You are such a good friend. You play so well with others. So fair. So kind. So patient. I watched you play Candy Land the other day with another little girl and wondered how you'd handle the sudden set back which came from drawing the peppermint candy cane. Instantly dethroned from your Neapolitan perch. You handled it in stride and congratulated your guest as the winner. You like to name your friends on a regular basis: Baylee, Abbey, Stella, Kate Lynn, Jackson, Christian, Micah, Audrey, Austin, Jake, and most recently Carson. She is older than you and can ride her bike without training wheels. Thus, you've tried for several weeks to learn to ride without training wheels. It will happen in time. Everyday you ask to play with Carson and watch for her mom's car to pull into their driveway. Just the other day you were waiting, for what seemed like an eternity, for Carson to come home. I told you (highly annoyed with the number of times you asked me again and again and again), "She won't be home for several hours. Please don't ask me again! I might lose my mind if you ask me one more time when she is coming home." You're response was, *Sigh* "Well, I guess somethings are worth waiting for." (Hee!) We are so fortunate to be in a neighborhood with so many great friends.
Both Ava and you have a new obsession. It comes in the form of a large Great Dane who solves mysteries. It's old school. It's just scary enough. But, not too scary. It was your mother's favorite of all favorites. The one and only...Scooby-Doo. You ask. every. single. day. : )
You just finished your soccer season. You loved every minute, every game. You kicked the ball during a game, maybe four times. : ) I know it's counterintuitive to teach you all your life to take turns, share, be gentle and good and then ask you to "steal" the ball from the other team and kick it in the opposite direction. Or, goodness forbid, prevent someone else (the opposing team) the joy of scoring their very own goal. I quickly understood you were out there for the joy of the sport. To be part of a team. To high-five and drink Gatorade and make friends on both sides of the field. I know in time you will understand you can do that and still kick the ball. ; ) Until then, I am thoroughly and completely content with the fact that you chose to run next to the ball, within striking distance, the entire game, and jump excitedly for whoever scores the goal. : )
One of your most favorite things to do is work with dad in the yard. Or ride in dad's truck. Or go on a trip with dad. You two are pals. Cut from the same cloth. Over. And under. And through. You'll stay out in the hot southern sun all day digging holes, pushing the wheel barrow, pulling weeds, loading rocks, planting trees... You always want to know where dad is and when he's coming home. You're the best of buddies. He loves you so much and is the very best dad you could ever have.
I hope even though you will continue to grow, you will never change. Promise?
