You turned 4!

Dear Evalyn, 

I can't believe how big you are little one. This year has been a hard one for us.  We lost our GiGi and Grammers.  You were amazing through it all.  Holding my hand and stroking my face and consoling me.  Reminding me of Jesus' sweet love.  You told me daily that GiGi is with him and she is well.  

You are getting so smart.  You write your name, know your numbers by sight and your letters.
You are doing basic math like counting to 15 and adding basics like 1+2=3.  Art is still one of your favorites but this year going to story time at the library has become something we both look forward to.  Your favorite part seems to be the bean bag song.  (throw the bean bag and catch...turn around turn around stamp stamp stamp).  You dance around the room laughing and smiling with the other kids timidly throwing your bean bag into the air and sometimes catching it and well sometimes not.  

You have glasses now...and let me just say you are the cutest glasses wearing 4 year old ever!  I just love how they frame your sweet little face and make your eyes shine.  

You had a fantastic birthday party at Jetty Island.  We went over with friends and family and had a grand time.  You played in the water and sand for hours and Daddy made hot dogs.  You ate tons of watermelon and cantelope, chips and treats.  You got presents from your friends and really enjoyed yourself.  I so love watching you joyfully leap in the sand and carefully tip toe through the yucky "weedies".  Sometimes you seem almost shy and then you just barge forward through whatever with this determination you must have gotten from your GiGi.  I've never seen anyone else but you and her face fear the same way.  Not that you are fearless but that you don't allow it to control you or change your happiness. That is a fantastic skill and way of facing the world little one. Mama is very proud of you.  

I can't wait to see what this year brings for all of us but especially you...it's your last year home with Mama.  Last year before you start the era of school days, bus rides, sack lunches, backpacks and new friends.  I've so cherished our times just you and I.  I am also so excited to see you grow and blossom even more.  

Keep your spirit.  Know you are loved beyond all earlthly measures and stay true to what you know...always!  

Love always sweet girl, 
Mama

She needed glasses to see...

Dear Evalyn, 

Oh sweet girl, we figured it all out this last month. You can't see with out glasses.  You function well but you don't really see! 

The wonder on your face as we fitted you with glasses was amazing.  You were really seeing the world for the first time.  

Trees and stars became full of excitement, riding your bike was easier, art...oh sweet art you seem to be devouring, coloring immediately improved, letter recognition...all of the things you tried were more fun and not such a challenge because you could see!

This was our first preemie related obstacle and you hurtled over it with leaps and bounds.  You took to those spectacles like you had never had anything different.  I have been so impressed by your wisdom and understanding of things lately.

Daddy and I have always talked to you like you were an adult and we didn't do anything different when it came to you wearing your glasses...we told you that you needed to wear them and so you did.  Easy Peasy!  

I love that when it's important you are so laid back. You never fight at the doctor, at the grocery store you follow directions, you don't run away from me, you stay right by the car when I tell you to and most importantly...you wear your glasses without argument...I love you for that!

(your box house we made together complete with door bell and window box full of flowers for spring)

Sweet Dreams baby girl, 

xoxo, Mama

Birthday Party!

Dear Evalyn, 

You are 3!!!!  Today was such a nice day. Thank you for being a sweet and kind girl.  


You are about 37 inches tall today and weigh almost 30 lbs.  You can count to 15 all by yourself and you love to run!  You told me a while back  you were going to run everywhere because you wanted to be the fastest girl in the world...and you are working very hard at that.  

This party was a collection of a few of your favorite things...

Balloons!

Cake! 

Marshmallows!

Cupcakes!

And pressies of course!  

What a wonderful day with family and friends.  

Can't wait to see what the next year brings for you sweet girl.  Disneyland is our next adventure!  We are all so excited to go together.  

Love you!

Mama

you are almost 3...a year in pictures.

Dear Evalyn, 


It's a few days before your 3rd birthday and once again I'm feeling like a good way to tell you about you at this age is through pictures.  These are some of my favorite moments with you this year and as much as I'm going to miss you being two I'm very much looking forward to your third year.  


Love, Mama