Happy FOURTH Birthday Sweet Girl

How do I even begin to explain what I truly don't think words can describe about our now four year old daughter. Being the first can often come with more responsibility and expectations than subsequent children. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it is very beneficial to be the first. However, they teach you how to parent every step of the way. Some parenting decisions might be to their benefit and some, well, might be overboard with unrealistic expectations. With that said, our goal with Mary Ella has been to give her enough room to grow and not to overly temper her exhuberant, sometimes fiercly independent personality. When I think of this little girl, words that come to mind are passion, life, and joy. She is passionate in ALL that she does from giving a spontaneous extra hard squeeze during a hug to adding her own little, special detail to tasks such as dressing herself, setting up toys, and coloring. She lives to make others smile and laugh usually cracking herself up in the process. An oh the giggles! Those of you who know her know what I'm talking about! She laughs from her soul deep down inside feeling the pure joy of the moment. Just like last year, she has insisted to be involved in just about every detail of her birthday party from the theme, color of balloons, and color of cupcakes (pink, of course!).



She woke up this morning and we went to get donuts with sprinkles. She ate two of them and insisted on birthday candles for each one. She would have gone for a third, but I convinced her we needed to save some for later. We've been talking for a month about what turning four means. The big thing has been that she needs to try and not suck her thumb (her best friend!). So Happy Birthday to a very special girl. I just can't believe we'll be preparing to send you to kindergarten next year. Unfortunately, I am still unable to download pictures to this computer (GRRRRR!). I guess I'll have to figure out another way. Love You Mary Ella!