Abbey at Four

And now some pictures of Miss Abbey from June 2010 to...

(the pictures we took to announce to our families the new member coming to our fam--it didn't make sense like I hoped it would, ha ha!)

...June 2011. Not too much of a change :) But that is her at four. And now some pictures from the beautiful gardens:

My gorgeous Abbey. It's funny to look at these pictures and realize you still look very much the same. I'm glad. We are not ready for you to grow up. I asked you if you were going to like fireworks this year and you said, "I don't think so." I said, "Well, you are a year older now, maybe they will be fun now," to which you said, "Well, I'm still the same size!" Even though you haven't grown much this year, you have definitely matured.

A lot of that maturity has come from preschool. I love your school but it was hard for me to give you up every day. And you LOVED preschool. Last fall, Dad asked you what you learned that day and you said, "We don't learn anything at that school." So funny. It could seem that way, I guess, but I can tell your reasoning and problem-solving skills have really improved. And you take a lot more ownership of how you feel. You're still having growing pains but I see you recognizing when and how things upset you and then beginning to work through it or explain to me why you are mad. Sometimes I react like you are still a toddler throwing a tantrum, but you've surprised me a few times and when I sit and listen to you, you have very valid reasons why you are upset. I'm glad you forgive me so easily.

I love your drawings. You spend so much time creating these days and your pictures are so detailed and fun. You come up with great ideas and games; if I was five, I'd want to be friends with you! You know, if I was five and liked to be bossed around :) Just kidding. You are definitely a leader but your teachers have been helping you to see that other kids have good ideas and you can have fun doing their plans as well. You funny kid, you have such a big personality in that little body.

What I love most is seeing this little person emerging with exciting passions and interests. It has thrilled me to see you taking to the water this summer. We went boating yesterday and you hopped on a tube by yourself--all of a sudden I saw you five years down the road and realized how much FUN we are going to have together. The independence you will get this year tears my heart a bit, but it is exciting to watch you grow up and to get to do new things together.

Of course I love that you love pictures. You are my best little poser. And you will be entertained forever with my point & shoot camera. I snapped cute pictures of you at the gardens in about one minute then spent the next two hours trying to get anything from Hayden. Dad grabbed out this smaller camera for you and you were happy the rest of the time.

love you, gorgeous