Dear Daughter,

Today you turned four. FOUR years old. I still can’t believe it. How did we get here so fast? Today is the anniversary of the day I became a mother. I wanted to make it as special as possible for you.

Earlier this week we shopped for a special outfit for your birthday. Dress from your head to your toes in an outfit you styled yourself. And quite well I might add. You even chose some adorable clip-on earrings that matched, because you’ve been hounding me for some earrings.

So this year making your day special also meant covering your floor with balloons and your doorway with streamers. For once, you slept in, so your brother and I came in to wake you up and sing to you.

I’m not sure if you’ll remember all the details so I’ll share a few with you. We had your birthday party at a nature center, as you requested. We fed turtles and saw butterflies in their butterfly house. We looked at fish, and your best friend even bought you a fish for your birthday.

You’ve named him Little Blue. And you’ve been talking to him nonstop.

Today your family and close friends surrounded you. So many people who love you. The grin on your face while we sang happy birthday to you was priceless. This was also the first year that you weren’t too bashful to blow out your candles by yourself.

Later this evening your dad and I surprised you with your new bike, and you loved it. Daddy asked you to get his stretch ball out of the garage and as soon as you opened the door you exclaimed “A BIKE! I LOVE IT!”

I’m so proud of the little girl you are turning into. You are kind to your brother. You are incredibly smart and curious. I love how you always want to learn more and try new things. When someone tells you how cute you are you remind her you’re smart too. I don’t think I ever imagined I’d have a daughter as awesome as you’ve turned out to be.

I only hope we’ll continue to be close and grow closer the older you get. These last four years have been a whirlwind, but some of the best four years of my life, thanks to you.

Continue to be bright, and continue to brighten the lives of those around you. Don’t worry; you don’t have to try hard. It comes naturally.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Love,

Mommy

Tags: birthday, happy birthday, letters to Lil' J, lil' l