Several times in the last few months I see other children or Pajama's or other things your size and think, 'there is no way Autumn is that big' - and then you go stand next to them and I think, 'no way!' You have grown so much since your birthday! You are fully a little girl - a little girl with an agenda!! You are a strong willed, courageous, wonderful, sassy, brave and adventurous 3 year old! Most of the time we have so much fun swimming, playing dolls, cooking, crafting... you name it and other times we just don't know what to do with you because nothing seems to be what you want! Although we tend to butt heads daily, you show us your kind and tender side by cuddling us tight, telling us how much you love us and hugging on us every day too!
Things that make you - you!
Your do it by your self attitude! You get things done - your own way - without help!!
Confident - you have no problem telling anyone what you are thinking
You love making choices - all that parenting advise to limit choices just doesn't really work with you. If we don't give you a choice you like you just tell us so and let us know what it is you do want. Down to the smallest detail if you happen to care at the moment you have an opinion - what to wear, which shoes, where we are going, what to buy.... Luckily you are getting better about letting go of the things you don't get to choose.
You love family and friends and show concern - if something has happened to someone you always remember on your own and ask how they are doing. You always ask to pray for Uncle Josh in Afganistan and pray for your friends who have problems or hurts.
You love pretend play and making story lines with any toys.
You love flipping your body around, climbing up things, jumping off things
You have an amazing memory - you remember specific details in books, people we've met or conversations (yet still somehow forget easy rules like keep your feet off your sister...)
Life in General!
We spent the first month of your 4th year in Loveland waiting for your sister's arrival and then we went to Glenwood with Nana and Papa until the end of January. We went and played in Loveland and Denver until we flew to Hawaii on Feb 8th. We stayed with the Tresters for a couple weeks and then moved into a Condo in Keahou for 4 months until we were able to buy our own house in Kona. As usually you have done very well with all the transitions. Every new place you find your favorite activities. In Colorado you loved the rec center, the hot springs with papa, the parks, playing in the snow and shopping outings with Nana. You enjoyed special playdates with Grandma Nona, got to spend a several nights with Grandma and Papa. In Keauhou you loved having the pools and hot tubs at our Condo, going for walks picking flowers, going to Friday night Hula shows that the shopping center. You learned how to swim there and are able to do laps and tread water for several minutes. At our new house your favorite things are growing your own plants - you've got a cocoa plant, lima bean and tomato plants started and anything with the horses next door - watching them, riding them, petting them, watching others ride them, talking about them, saying good bye, hello or good night and pretending to be the neighbor boys that own the horses.
You also love playing with our new neighbors that are your age and petting their rabbits. You love the beach and are equally happy digging around in the sand, climbing rocks or playing out in the water. You continue to enjoy princess dress up and movies and have expanded your movie selection
You love your sister very much - love to make her laugh, tickle and kiss her and keep her safe! You like to help her walk and for the most part share your toys with her. You love getting to give her approved foods and take baths with her. You are a great big sister!
Memorable quotes!
Are ants allergic to duck tape?
I'm the one in charge, I'm going to teach you my way!
I love mommy's armpits and your cheeks, I like the pokey hairs.
Abby quit screaming out your head!
You're hurting my ears (said about many things)
Mom I don't like your cool nature (when insisting you needed a bath).
You like the words sure, absolutely and love making up words and definitions for them - wishing I had written them down!
You love to ask question, lots of why questions.
"You can come over on thursday at 20 oclock for another party," (to someone leaving our house)
