we've almost lost the whole summer!

look at that- not even one single post since the beginning of june. lots of stuff has happened since then.

some things have changed.

we moved. changed houses and cities and churches. that's the biggest one! back to fort smith.

grandma and papa got a kitten.

your cousins troy and lincoln are no longer like imaginary cousins; you actually got to meet them!

some things have stayed the same.

you still are afraid of fireworks, but not much else. and not goats, anymore.

you still talk about your friend abby constantly.

you still really look a whole lot like your cousin becky.

and, of course, you are growing and changing so fast we can't keep up. there's no denying that you're growing up. we look at pictures of you lately and say, "wow. she looks so old."

you've learned and done a lot over the summer, like going to brookfield zoo, and learning to spit watermelon seeds and picking tomatoes.

also, you're my big helper. everything for you, you have to do yourself. and everything for others, you have to help with. you're an excellent pudding maker.

i'm afraid that you're going to be terribly sad in a couple days, when sam goes back to school. you sure do love him a lot. and he loves you too. and so does daddy, and so do i.

love, mom

you are our little daredevil!

You often surprise us with your bravery. Like when we go to Disney World, and you want to ride every single ride, including the roller coasters. And when you jump off the diving board into Uncle Pat's pool. Sam said, and I think he's right, that you like to do things that scare you. I'm super proud of you for tackling your fears at such a young age. And also a little worried about the heart attacks you're going to induce in us throughout your life.

These pictures are from your first time jumping off of a diving board. At first you wanted me to hold you while i jumped. Then you wanted me to stay under the diving board and hold your hand. Then you wanted me or Amber to catch you. Then you just kept jumping, going to the ladder, getting out, and jumping again. You jumped probably 20-30 times. Sometimes you'd count; sometimes you'd sing "Living on a Prayer," and then jump. And after you got dried off, you sat by the pool and watched some big guys jump off and do all kinds of flips and crazy stunts. You'd yell, "That was AWESOME!!" I wonder how long it'll be before you're trying stuff like that....

I love you!

love, mom

you were quiet again...

for a few minutes you were off being quiet, and then you came out with one fingernail painted and a guilty look on your face. actually, you did a pretty good job. and you hadn't polished the rest of the bathroom, which i'd kind of expected.

you definitely have a mischievous streak. believe it or not, i was accused of that as a child too....

i love you, mischief and all.

love, mom

Happy Easter!

Just for fun, i tried to get a picture of you and sam like the one of you and him from 3 years ago. you both look so much different now!

We had a fun day at church today, learning about Jesus and finding eggs, and then coming home and finding eggs again.

Last night when we painted eggs, you had fun for a little while but quickly got bored. You didn't appreciate daddy polka-dotting your belly. You sure do appreciate chocolate, though.

Love, mom

You are growing up at an astounding rate.

today, you and i went to help daddy at his work. daddy showed you how to write your name on the dry erase board, and this is your handiwork.

you've always been really good at drawing what others draw, but it's really amazing to see your own name, written with your own little hands. i don't think the letters and their sounds and meanings really make much sense to you, but they will really really soon. that's so exciting, but also alarming. it seems like you're growing up so fast! but let's hold off on the college applications for a little while.

i love you!

love, mom

you sure are growing up.

you've jumped into potty training with both feet, now, and you LOVE the independence that you have. you insist on doing everything by yourself. it's interesting for us, having such a self-sufficient three year old. we sure don't mind, though!

you got a little vanity with a mirror and blow dryer and makeup for Christmas from your grandma and pappy. you love putting on the lipstick. it's hard to think about the day in the future when you're going to want the real versions of all that stuff. but you're growing up fast, so i think it must be right around the corner.

today, your friend abby came to play while her mom went to the dentist. it's cute to see you interact with people your own age. you're used to fighting for your rights, having an older brother, so sometimes you struggle with being a little bit bossy with people your own age. you and abby had a good time, though.

i love watching you grow up!

love, mom

here are two things you love:

your daddy, and your new play kitchen. both of them together makes for a good time.

this is the kind of picture that will always make you smile.

love, mom