Happy 4th Birthday, Ella Rose (a few days late)

Dear Rosie,

I guess I'm supposed to say "I can't believe you're four," but really I'm thinking "When did she turn fourteen?" You sound so grown up as you mimic things you've heard your mother say (I better be careful!). You cluck and sweet talk the baby as good as any momma could. I often hear you narrating your actions (to God? to an imaginary audience?--You'll make a good blogger someday.) I think you picked it up watching the sportscasters in olympic gymnastics, but that's just a guess. So I am ALMOST grateful when you cry your way through CVS because I won't carry you. That's acting more your age.

What is not acting your age, however, but completely wonderful, is how you later said, "I wish I hadn't cried through CVS," and then, just before leaning over to receive your promised spankings you looked up at me and said "I really do need to learn." I think those spankings really did hurt me more than they hurt you.

You have never had trouble expressing soaring highs and deep lows. A drama queen some call it. You look a lot like your daddy, but I will admit you did not get the drama from the man of few words. Does that mean you got it from me? Nah. I think somehow it's from your Aunt Rachel. You even grit your teeth like she did.

No matter what anyone says, I love it. I love the surprises that come from living with you. I love that, at Dave and Esther's wedding we all worried about Sam and whether he would make it down the aisle as ringbearer while you flitted around as flowergirl posing for pictures with strangers. And then, as you marched into the lighted sanctuary at go time you stopped dead in your tracks, your eyes filling with tears. There was that four year old again! I was happy you made it at least most of the way down the aisle. . . to my lap.

I am looking forward to the surprises that will come watching you in pre-k. I'm afraid you won't have that head start your brother did. Later you can blame it on being the second child. I'm happy that your teacher taught you to write an E for Ella in your first week. And you'll get the hang of your ABC's--they don't go the way I heard you sing them tonight "ABCDEFG, was blind but now I see." I think you'll make friends easily--I've heard how friendly you are with kids you meet in the store. Just remember your favorite verse "A soft answer turns away wrath!" PLEASE.
And when you come home, please put on your Belle dress and dance. Just stop singing "I am sixteen going on seventeen" while you're dancing. You are precious to your daddy and me, Rosie! Happy Birthday!

Love, Mom