1.2.3.4. - I Declare a Time War

"I'm 4 Now!"

Cupcakes to school in her new outfit - pink cake with a layer of purple sprinkles and then chocolate frosting and then another layer of purple sprinkles

Breakfast request - Dad's Coffee Cake - done to perfection

Everyone got to ride in her new Jeep - It even has a radio that she and her sister promptly fought over.  Fast forward 12 years.

 

I got the candle, put it in my cupcake, and asked my dad to light it for me - I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.T.

So loved being the center of attention

The last hat of the day

I've made a new rule in our house.  Nobody is allowed to be older than 7 unless you have well surpassed it already.  There are days I seriously feel like I went to sleep yesterday when Miss M was 2 and I woke up this morning and she was 4.  Stop the presses.  However, there are days I am happy that she climbs into bed and is still alive.  She is that kinda gal.  Sassy and naughty.  Kind and generous.  "I don't like you, Mom."  "I love you, Mom."  All in the same 30 second window. 

She changes clothes at least 7 times a day.  Pajamas are to be slept in, played in, eaten in, crafted in.  Didn't you know?  The outfits have to be just right.  If pants are on the docket they have to touch the floor.  Every skirt will find a pair of tights that must live on her body.  If headbands could stay on morning, noon, and night, they would finalize the outfit.  There are days I fight it.  But, there are more days where I choose not to.  It's not like Valley Forge is at stake.  It's just my sanity.

I call her my sister's daughter.  For those who know Alexis or, even better, knew her growing up, you know that everything had to be JUST RIGHT.  No sock could have the slightest wrinkle inside the shoe.  No shoe could have too much space.  And the mirror.  Everything was a mirror.  She would sit on the side of the table that allowed her to check herself out in the opposite large bay window.  Meet Miss M.  Today while she skipped from lunch at Panera (with just me & DH) right on down to Yogurtland (free on your birthday!), she sang a tune, "It's my birthday!  I'm 4!  It's my birthday!  I'm 4!" and she checked out her reflection in the Lane Bryant display windows.  I believe Alexis will be starting a cousins camp at her house shortly.  She can take my Miss M and straighten her socks and adjust her outfits and fix her shoes and I will take her Nate and make everything completely fair.  I get that. :)

Miss M planned out every minute of her day.  I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  She's a gal who knows what she wants.  I like that.  "Mom, does Panera have soup?  Ok.  We can go."  She has a birthday party on Saturday with some friends.  A Princess Dance Party.  It's gonna be rockin'. 

Miss M, I am thrilled to be your mother.  You entered this world 4 short years ago so calmly, serenely, and peacefully.  You hardly cried.  You just wanted to look around and take it all in.  You are a protector of your little sister, a confidant of your big brother, and a hard worker.  I asked you today what you were going to do now that you are 4.  "More jobs, Mom.  I can do more jobs now."  Stand down, Mr. Clean!

And, you LOVE to eat.  Soup is your big thing.  Chicken Noodle, Cream of Mushroom, even Louisiana Rice & Bean.  And, spicy.  You'll choose to eat Fiesta Chicken over Chicken Nuggets any day of the week.  I did eat a lot of Mexican food while you were in my belly.  I love that we share that great love of yummy food.  Your favorite treat is Otter Pops and ice cream.  You don't like to eat bread (a texture thing, maybe?), you would drink apple juice all day if I let you, you get your own sippy cups of water now, and you have animation in your voice that would make Hannah Montana move over (you have no idea who she is, by the way, and I'm thrilled about that). 

You are learning your letters (ABCDEFGHIJKRQMNP) :)  and numbers and to write your name. You would draw for hours and make pictures for all of your friends.  You got to go to a bday party with Mr. A a few weeks ago and you were very last person still decorating a picture frame of Wonder Woman.  All of the other 6 year olds were done and on to the next thing. 

And, one more thing.  Your preschool teacher asked us the other day where you get your stubborn streak from.  I told her it must be your father.  :)  Love you THIIIISSS MUCH, Miss M.  Thanks for spicing things up around here.  Happy Birthday!

Love, Mom