4-Year-Old Love Letter

 My sweet Hazel Grace,

You are a silly, wild 4-year-old who continues to radiate life and love. Your fiery personality continues to grow along with your height. You live with gusto and are up for any adventure that awaits. You are extremely social and adore being with your besties-- Lizzie, Brady Mae and Hannah. You want to be a part of everything and love to make people laugh. You love doing projects, painting, drawing, reading and practicing school. Staying in hotels is one of your favorite things and you frequently inquire about when the next trip to one will be. Singing and dancing are popular pass times. 

You give unlimited kissy huggies and are a big snuggle bug. You run super fast and I can see sports in your future. You learned to ski this year and took a ballet class. Being on stage for the recital was a real highlight. You're super engaged in swimming lessons and can almost swim independently. You've graduated from the balance bike to training wheels and love to ride. The pajama obsession hasn't faded. You've learned to pump yourself on the swings and look so peaceful closing your eyes and swinging away in the backyard. You play with Beau for hours on end and adore any animal you see. "I love you goats! I wish I could snuggle you and come in your cage!" Stuffies are your favorite toys. 

Getting you to do daily tasks is almost always a struggle and many hours in the last year have been spent telling you to put on your shoes and buckle yourself into your car seat. Bedtime has morphed into you getting into bed around 8 and playing quietly until 9, 9:30 or even 10. You sleep in on occasion but are often up by 6:30. Somehow this routine provides adequate rest. After books we do your "prays" with a back scratch and listen to Baby's First Hymns on Alexa. 

You vocabulary resembles an 8-year-old given that you've picked up all the slang from your brothers. Hearing your little voice reference Pokemon and Minecraft cracks me up every time. You move and talk alllll the time, speed and volume both high. 

You are the perfect combination of tender and fierce. Equally willing to help others and stand up for yourself. You possess the same single minded determination that was used to describe me as a child and has served me well all my life. I love that as the youngest child and only girl you are tenderly adored but you don't fit the "princess" description people like ascribing. Dolls aren't really your thing and you will generally choose the blue hues over the pinks. Being the third born and having a summer birthday have matured you faster than I've anticipated at every stage. As a just turned 4-year-old you're starting Pre-Kindergarten and SO eager to be with your peers. There are no tears with drop offs. Stewarding your learning and growth continues to both amaze and challenge me. 

You are deeply loved and treasured. I am eternally grateful for all that you are and the gift of being your mama. I pray that your 4th year is full of learning, loving and adventure. I pray that you'll always be rooted in love and grace. 

xoxo,

Your loving mama