my firstborn turns four

Today (well, it was the 29th @ 9:06 AM - so I guess yesterday) my tiny turned 4!

It feels like she should have turned 7 with the way she acts and talks.

Well, more like 14.

 Ben had the day off and made her rainbow pancakes and spelled this out.

He's much more dedicated than I am.

Bless his heart.

She was thrilled.

 We all had a slow and groggy morning after our Thanksgiving festivities so Charlotte got to pick out two presents to unwrap.

First was a children's National Geographic series we collect "Little Kid's Big Book of ____".

She reads these every single night. Her favorite is the solar system one. 

For her birthday we got her an animals one and my mom got her a 'why' one.

We read these for awhile all cuddled under an electric blanket while Jane slept and slept.

 Then she picked another one my mom sent.

 She died.

 And went straight to heaven.

 They put it together then played with it for at least an hour.

 We had a full agenda per the birthday girl's wishes:

1) open presents

2) buy a Christmas tree

3) go swimming (at the Y)

4) go see a movie (Frozen - loved it)

5) go out for pizza

6) have a Hello Kitty birthday cake

 We were able to accomplish all minus one (the most obvious one you do on a birthday…).

We were busy busy busy running around making this wee one happy.

We finally were done and home and in bed by 10:30.

 We first swam at the gym then quickly changed and headed out for our tree, pizza, and movie.

 Heading to Costco for a Christmas tree that she picked out.

 Thrilled when I told her the next stop was pizza then the movie.

 Let her order an orange soda.

 We ate at Jim and Pete's (if you're local, it's good).

They brought out this sinful chocolate cake and we all sang.

(Good thing because we ran out of time to go home and make her a cake. We'll do it in a few days when Ben gets home from work).

She hid her face for the first half of the song before blowing out the candles. 

She then told me she was brave and decided to not hide and be shy anymore.

 She wolfed it down (we helped a little).

 We then rushed to drop off the tree and headed to see Frozen where she got to order whatever she wanted from the concession stand.

She was in heaven and the movie was super cute and hilarious.

 We got home to finish unwrapping presents.

Jane was along for the ride the whole day and mostly slept (I won't mention how she's been sleeping 12 straight hours at night because I don't want to jinx it…).

Charlotte at FOUR:

Is hilarious and loves to make you laugh, but even loves to laugh at her own jokes more.

Still sings. A lot. Like all.of.the.time. About everything and anything. And usually not quietly.

Always tells me if I say something that is not allowed like: duh, wah wah waaaah, stupid, poop, shut up… she never slips. Apparently I do.

Loves loves loves all things Hello Kitty, Minnie Mouse, Barbie, Lalaloopsy, pirates, ballet, and princesses. Her Hello Kitty-themed birthday party is in two weeks.

Wears at least 2 tutus a day and dances.

Is dying to take a ballet class, but whenever we find a class that fits our schedules we don't have the money. Boo.

Is getting more disinterested in television and more into make believe play. Once I was heading to the kitchen to make dinner and asked her if she'd like me to put a show on. She said that she'd rather come help make dinner then play with her toys. 

Finishes my sentences for me if I pause to think of the word I want to say.

Hates getting into trouble by me or anyone. Usually results in tears and a tiny broken heart.

Doesn't take naps but needs one at about 4 o'clock. We don't get along too well for a good two hours before dinner and a much earlier bedtime of 6:30/7.

Has an amazing memory. We had the stomach flu last Sunday and she walked into the bathroom as I was finishing emptying the contents of my stomach and proceeded to tell me about the last time I had the flu which was at Grandma's house. I slept and stayed away from her for a good 36 hours then. She told me all about it. This was over a year and a half ago.

Can have the attitude of a 13 year old which makes me laugh and deeply frightens me.

Is gutsy. She will try anything. She'll try any kind of food just once. Will go on any ride. It's not that she doesn't have any fear, she just pushes herself past it with a little gleam in her eye. She'll be the bride-to-be that goes skydiving on the eve of her wedding day. With her dad and not mom of course…

Loves to get "cozy" and snuggle. Kisses and hugs a lot.

75% of the time will choose The Sound of Music if we're going to watch a movie.

Still loves watching Super Why, Cat in the Hat, Curious George, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on PBS. Every so often she'll ask to watch a cheesy girly show (Littlest Pet Shop, My Little Pony), but for the most part still loves these ones best. I'll be sad when she's over them.

Always wants to know what time it is (hence the alarm clock for her bday), where things came from (wants to be shown on a map), and why things are the way they are (why does it look like the sun is moving, why do people grow up, why do only girls have babies…).

Is very well-behaved at other's houses. This one I'm unbelievably proud of. She's a saucy one, but she saves that for me. She's been babysat a lot lately for different things I've had going on and they always say how easy and well behaved she is. She doesn't talk back, hit the other kids (I think I've seen her hit another child once in her life), or get whiny. I'm glad that she's turning into a nice and responsible little person.

Four sounds old to me and yet I feel like she's been around so much longer. I can definitely remember what life was like before her, but compared to now, it was a lot less full.  She brings so much joy to our home. Her and Jane are definitely my tiny best friends (and Ben's just my big one). If I knew my future children would turn out like these two I'd have five more. 

Happy Birthday, my tiny!

I love you to the moon and back.