Annabelle's 3rd Birthday letter.

March 18, 2010

My Dearest Annabelle;

Ta-Da - Happy 3rd Birthday!! I cannot believe you are just turning 3, you seem so much older most of the time. You are a smiling, confident, happy child that loves to sing & dance. You put your tutu and ballerina slippers on and insist we call you “Ballerina Annabelle” as you spin & kick around the living room.

This year has been exciting. Aside from the usual 2 year old things like language explosion, potty training and such you have acquired so many new talents. You can sound out any word you see and recognize many long words. You started Montessori Pre-School in January 2 days a week and I really see the independence changes in you already. You dress & undress yourself; you help with meals & baking and just yesterday sat your brother down for a reading session while Nana made dinner. Of course there are the usual 3 year old behaviors accompanied by the complete meltdowns but most of the time you are open to suggestion and so very helpful.

For your actual birthday you are having a party at school and then we are coming home for you to receive your big present from Daddy & I, a trampoline. Last summer we visited friends with one and that is the happiest I have ever seen you. Ever since then you have been jumping all over the place, your bed, the couch and even just down the hall. I have been looking forward to this day since we made the decision in December to buy it for you. It looks like the fates have smiled upon us too; the forecast is sunny & 61 degrees, not usual for this early in the spring. “I just want to see, how happy I can be” is one of the made up songs you regularly sing and that is what comes to mind when I think about you & your trampoline. I want to give you whatever makes you happy (within reason of course). It is the only way I can think to repay you for the amount of happiness you provide me everyday. Sometimes you will randomly hug me and say “you are my very best friend”. Yeah, there isn’t anything better than that.

At 3 years old I don’t know that you can truly grasp how very much you are loved. Oh sure you know we say the words and give the hugs but you really cannot comprehend the intensity in which that love humbles me. I hope that you always have the security of knowing how very much you are loved, how very much you make your Nana, Dad & I smile and how very proud we are of every single task you accomplish. While I will always love you because you are my little girl you are really becoming a neat little person that I truly enjoy spending time with.

Happy Birthday my sweet daughter. I hope your birthday is everything you want it to be, plus some surprises that delight you. We sure are having fun and for that I thank you. I appreciate all that you are and just loving watching you grow.

With all my love and a big squeeze,

Mum Mum