Seatbelts And Sippy Cups: april 1st disguised as april 2nd

hallie ann. you are four years old. you have my heart.

you are chatty. if you are not narrating what you are doing you are probably singing.

you have a kind and generous spirit. i stand in awe at all the times i have seen you share or give up something you like for someone else.

you love puzzles/thinking/matching/categorizing/comparing activities. i think you're pretty darn smart.

you adore your sisters. you try to mirror everything kinsley says and does. sounds, postures, reactions....you don't even realize it but you keep a close eye on her at all times.

you are incredible with caroline. i constantly catch you kissing her as you pass by or saying chummy words of adoration as you crouch at her level.

you could play games with me all day long if you had your way. and i better not try to sneak a peek at my phone or discreetly lay a magazine down as we play. you are on to me and you insist i play "for real."

you have mastered the art of skipping. i am already sad your awkward straight legged skip is gone.

you have incredible endurance. on our family walks you never ever walk. always a scooter or bike. no exceptions.

you take learning new things seriously. when you are at swim & soccer lessons there is no room for playing around. while your sister counterpart gets giddy and looks to mom and dad with every achievement, you concentrate and remain focused.

you officially built your first lego set before me. i am so impressed with you.

while you may think you have only taught me how to build a lego castle you must know you have taught me WAY more than that.

i am so thankful for you.

for your birthday...
it is now a family secret that we celebrated your birthday a day early....daddy will be gone on your actual birthday so we cleverly decided to tell you that a day earlier was the big day. we told all family members to call/facetime the day before and you never knew the difference. :) (today, your real birthday, i have been silently celebrating you all day long)

we went to church, opened presents, braved chuck e cheese, ate dinner & cake, and took a family walk. it was great having the whole day to celebrate without any school/work interruptions. i kinda think all our birthdays should fall on weekends from now on----and they magically just might until you kids can read a calendar.