Happy Fourth Birthday, Evangeline!

    This past Sunday our little girl became a "big girl" and turned four. On big days like this I notice folks say things like "My, the time has flown" or "She's just growing up so fast," but I'm happy to say I don't feel that way. These last four years with Evangeline have been filled with many happy seasons and moments that were marked and enjoyed as they came and went. Watching my giddy baby turn into an wobbly waddler and then a thoughtful toddler (not a normal combo!) and now a graceful little girl has been a sweet slow ride, at least for this mama, and I'm grateful.

The family tradition of one present at your seat when you wake up: Candy necklace "from Dre"

I guess Dre wants it back? It's actually a sweet moment, because he's not trying to take the necklace, he just always want her to be closer to him - though not touching. Very typical "them," this picture.

Sweet giftage from Mummzie and Dad! (Totally scored this thing for $16 at a consignment sale!)

A cake from Yum-Yum and Bumpa who stopped by. This year the grandparents kinda "teamed up" and got her ballet lessons and gear! She starts in July and we all can't wait! 

Four!

       So lately the girl has been moving a lot faster and talking non-stop. It's another one of those fun seasons, explaining how everything works and why. Heaven help Mummzie and Dad if they don't know the answer to a question though!
Example: 
M: "I don't know why the man only bought waffles and gum, dear." e: "Well, why do you think he did? Do you have an idea?" 
M: "Maybe that's all he wanted." 
e: "But that's not enough food!" 
M: "Maybe he doesn't need more." 
e: "Does he have more food at home?" 
M: "Probably, I'm not sure." 
e: "But what do you think?" 
You get the picture... and why the treasured seasons pass slooowly...wink.

      For the girl, dressing up is an, at least, bi-weekly necessity - once for church, and once because she needs to turn into a magic flower/ snow princess/fairy godmother/ ballerina /mermaid baby etc. The funny thing about her imaginative games is... she almost never comes up with one of these ideas on her own. Usually she gets all dressed up, comes to find me, and asks "So what am I?" I give her a name, identity, and mission and she's off to create the rest. The day after her birthday she was dubbed "The Flower Queen" who made all the flowers open. M:"Eva, who actually makes the flowers open?" E: "God, but I help."

       Yes, Mommy and Eva (aka "the girls") are very close buddies. We usually have a good idea about what the other would like, and how to make each other laugh, and we certainly hang out quite a lot - mostly making things! 

       Of course E adores "her boys" too (yes, that's what she calls Daddy and Dre)! Lately the favorite game is "Tag" with Dre running around in his walker. Hilarious. Eva is a very good sissy for her brother daily feeding him, playing with him, and calling out all his needs (or maybe misdeeds) to any available parent.

Occasionally, she's a naughty big sissy though, but is typically quickly remorseful.  

d:(small wail)

e:"Moooooooommy, Dre fell."

M:"What happened?"

e:"He was up and now he's down."

M:"How did he get down?"

e:"He was pushed."

M:"By whom?"

e:"I think me."

"Daddy is a very good man, but I can't marry him because that's not what God likes." (As far as she's concerned, there's none better though. And as far as I'm concerned, she's got that right.) "He is good at taking us on trips, like to Sweet Frog." (The way to a young girl's heart = frozen yogurt.)

Love my big four-year-old!

Kiddo's Birthday Interview:  Eva 2012 – Four Years Old

What is your favorite color? Purple, Pink, Green

What is your favorite toy?  Squinkies
What is your favorite lunch, dessert, snack, cereal, drink? PB and Chocolate (Nutella), Goldfish, Apple juice.
What is your favorite outfit? A little girl dress for Sundays
What is your favorite game?  Hide and Seek
What is your favorite animal?  Dolphin

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Maggie, Baby Hope, Tiger and Green Blankie
What is your favorite song?  Twinkle Twinkle
What is your favorite book?  Madeline

What is your favorite TV show or movie? Madeline, Backyardigans, Cinderella, Milo and Otis

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Playing with my trucks
What is your favorite holiday? Valentines Day because I like to make cards.

What is your favorite day of the week? Saturday and Sunday because worshipping God on Sunday, and eating yogurt for breakfast on Saturday.

What is your favorite part of school? Looking at the weather. (Copying the forecast onto her school board. Grandpa would be proud)

What’s something you’re good at? Drawing a square.

What’s something you want to do when you grow bigger? Take good care of my things. (we are learning that taking responsibly "is what big kids do.")
What do you want to do for a job when you grow up? Be a singer on a stage. (like at church)

Do you want to get married? Yes, and I want to wear a white dress!

Do you want to have kids? How many? Three, one boy and two girls.

What are you most grateful for? For if some day I get married and I have some children.

What are you afraid of? Bears.

What makes you happy? Sharing

What is God like? He’s very powerful

Who is Jesus? I don’t know, He lives in Heaven (we'll work on that one.)

What’s something mommy/daddy always says to you? Mommy says: Say, ‘Yes, Mom.’ Daddy says 'Hey, Kiddo!'

What do you think is mommy's favorite thing to do? To play with me.

What does mommy do when you are not home? I don’t know because I’m not home.

What is daddy good at? Daddy is good at taking us on trips, like to Sweet Frog.

What does daddy do for his work? He preach and works his computer.

How are you and mommy/daddy the same? Different? Mommy and me both have freckles. Daddy and me like to shop. (for groceries)