You are officially 4 years old today, but in all honesty, I can't quite bring myself to look beyond that baby girl I hold close to my heart. Words cannot describe or accurately express the love I've felt for the past 4 years and the excitement that coexists as I think about your future. You are such a bright ray of sunshine. Not always full of happiness, but always full of fire. You have a such a spark that I simply hope never fades. You are timid towards new situations, but once acclimated, you approach with gusto! I love that about you. "Go hard or go home" seems very appropriate for you. Claire, you are a kind to others, loving towards your family and friends and such a smartie. I couldn't be more pleased with the amount of skills you've learned this year.
You have been the beginning steps of learning to read! My little girl, READING! I long for the day when I catch you reading to Mya. Such a sweet vision. In this year, you've learned to recognize your letters, the sounds they make, begun to learn addition/subtraction, and you've learned to write your name, Mom, Dad, Mya, love and a few other words. We are working on rhyming, blending sounds into words and continuing your word recognition, spelling skills. You love to learn and often bug me about wanting to do homework! I can't quite keep up, but I love your desire and motivation to learn!
Claire, times have been challenging this year. You love to push the limits. Daddy and I have found ourselves putting you in time out often, but I am very pleased to say that your behavior has come full circle. You are finally getting the idea of not retaliating when struck by your sister or a friend, you are learning that 1-2-3 means we mean business and you are getting the idea that you are not in charge! You love school. You have 3 great friends--Lana, Jacob, Joei, whom you talk about all the time. You have others too, but these three tend to dominate the conversation. You want nothing more than to invite them over for play dates, have what they have and do what they do. I love that you recognize right and wrong as well as the strengths of others. You are always sharing what Joei does well or something Lana did that was really good. It makes my heart happy for you to see the positive side in others.
You love to ride bike and spend time outside. You are a great help in the kitchen and at home, always wanting to sweep or spray. I couldn't ask for more. You love to sing, watch movies, play games, and read books. You can hit a ball when pitched to you, look for bugs, splash in puddles, draw with chalk, and listen to music. You request dresses/skirts almost daily, love to get your nails painted, pick out your own clothes, and dine in restaurants. Claire, you have become quite the good eater too. You eat pretty much anything minus typical vegetables. You will eat them in a dip though.
These past four years have been full of constant changes. Big changes that no child should have to undergo--deployments, moving from our house to an apartment, to a different country, changing daycares, meeting a slough of new friends, but you have undertaken the challenge with grace and succeeded. We are hopeful these changes have been positive and will help make you a better, more rounded individual. We hope you see the world and embrace the differences in people, cultures and places. The world is a beautiful place and full of amazing things. You've experienced far more in your four years than your Daddy or I have in our thirty. I am so happy that we have been blessed to give you those opportunities and cannot wait to hold your hand through the rest of our journey together with the guidance and support from above. You are an amazing child, Claire. Daddy and I are truly blessed to call you ours. Happy, happy birthday, Clairebear!
We love you!
Momma and Daddy
Comments
Love ya, Jessica