Fun turning four

On May 8th, our sweet girl turned four! I am still in denial that I have a four year old. All week long Lindy asked, "Is today my birthday?" She was just a little excited. At the beginning of her birthday week we told her Daddy was going to take the day off work and we were going to surprise her with a special treat. When the morning of her birthday arrived, she was a bit confused when I put a bathing suit on her under her clothes. She was so absolutely darling as she proclaimed, "I bet I know what the surprise is...We're going to go outside and play in the sprinkler." I absolutely LOVE that about Lindy. She is excited over the very little things and that would've been enough for her. It is a reminder to me that I need to be grateful for the little things and find joy in them.

We had a bit more up our sleeve than the sprinkler, though. On the way to the surprise she was so excited and patient. She registered guesses such as, "we're going to swimming class," "we're going to the donut store," and "we're going to Grandma and Grandpa's house."

The real surprise was that we took her to Sea World. She'd been one other time (when she was about 14 months) when we had family in town but she had no recollection of her first experience.

Despite the EXTREME heat and humidity, we had an incredible day!

Lindy loved seeing the dolphins and sort of liked feeding them. She was a little hesitant at first, but who wouldn't be with those teeth?

She got a kick out of watching Clyde and Seamore.

She was mesmerized by Shamu...

She laughed at wearing funny glasses during the 4D Pirate movie.

She loved playing and cooling off in the water.

After a full day at Sea World, we took the birthday girl for pizza and then headed home for some presents and cake. After listening to about 10 minutes worth of phone messages and birthday greetings, she sat got to check out what was in the various purple, pink, and princess packages and tear open many birthday cards. We were thrilled our dear friend, Denisa, could join us.

We had a wonderful day together and look forward to the many exciting things four will bring!
(Although, EARLY yesterday--Mother's Day--she woke up with her first ear ache. Having her first ear infection and being on her first round of antibiotics is not the exciting kind of stuff I mean.)

Patience

Patience

Give me patience when little hands
Tug at me with small demands,
Give me gentle words and smiling eyes
And keep my lips from sharp replies,
So in years to come when my house is still
Beautiful memories its rooms may fill.

~Author unknown

Dear Lindy,

I LOVE being YOUR Mommy!!!
Thank you for giving me another reason to celebrate today!

xoxo~
Mommy

Thoughts for my three year old

Dear Lindy~

As you've been napping this afternoon, I've been thinking about how blessed I am to be your mommy. I am sad that there is only one more sleep until you turn four, yet I know you couldn't be more excited.


That's you my sweet girl. Pure excitement and joy. Your infectious belly laugh keeps me in stitches and sometimes it makes it hard to correct and discipline you because you are so goofy and crack me up. Your personality lights up a room and you bring cheer everywhere you go. You are love and happiness and you make me so proud.


There are so many things I love about you. I love your honesty, I love that you are kind and have a tender and compassionate heart, I love that you are giving, and I love your nurturing spirit. I love that you don't hold grudges. I pray you will never lose these wonderful qualities.

I know you don't understand why it is hard for me to see you grow up. It is hard to explain. Lately, it almost feels like I've been working myself out of a job. It is kind of silly but it is a mom thing. You grew a little bit and now can get up and down off the toilet ALL by yourself. You get dressed on your own and even try to put yourself to bed without my help. There are so many things you can do and that is wonderful! I know you still need me, though. I look around and see all the messes and handprints everywhere and complain about it but when I look at those little handprints I know they won't always be there and that makes me kind of sad. They represent your childhood and that is going so, so fast.
Sweet girl, since the moment you were placed into my arms I've wanted to protect you from every bump, bruise, cut, scrape, hurtful word, mean person, shattered dream, and broken heart. In this topsy, turvy, mixed up world, I know I won't always be able to do that. However, I want you to know the answer to the question you often ask, will always be, "yes, Lindy, I will ALWAYS love you."

I love you~
Mommy

In case of a fire...

Our girl is almost four (sob, sob) and completely independently Don and I have been trying to teach her some important life lessons just in case...

Last night Don fired up the grill and Lindy was outside with him while he was cooking. During dinner, Don asked Lindy to tell me what to do in case of a fire. Lindy's response was a definitive, "Stop, drop, and eat."

Now that's my girl but I'm not sure she'll be enrolling in the fire academy anytime soon...