Gold Medal Big Brother

I went on and on about Piper yesterday on her birthday ... however, let me tell you about sweet, sweet little Avery. God bless his compassionate little soul. He's really an 80 year old man trapped in a 5 year old's body.

Here's his first little sweet statement of the night. We had just parked at Chuck E Cheese. I got Avery out, and my mom got Piper out. As Avery was getting out the car, he looked at me and said "Mom, tonight, let's only play the games that Piper likes, ok?" I could have just melted ... I almost cried on the spot.

Later, Uncle Cory and Riley called. Piper talked and then handed the phone to Avery. He talked for several minutes and then was winding the conversation up. He said "good-bye," but then I heard "WAIT WAIT WAIT ... one more thing! (pause) Thanks for calling my sister on her birthday." ..... Anything he could do to make her day more special, and to let other people know that THEY made her day special, he was right there to acknowledge.

I mean, really ... who wouldn't love to have a big brother like Avery? Piper is a lucky girl, and I am the luckiest mom in the world.

Happy Birthday, Piper

I can't believe my baby is four years old. I am really kind-of sad. I hate to see her grow up although I love each year with her more than the last. With both kids, I always catch myself saying "I love this age!" only to find out that I love the next age even more ... But something about three with Miss Piper has been special.

We have a bond that is really neat. She is very clingy to me and very much my shadow. Avery is very content to play on his own or sit and watch a movie ... not Piper. If I'm home, she's under my feet. She's really not a bother. She just needs to be doing what I'm doing. If I'm putting on make-up, she needs to have some to put on. If I'm putting away dishes, she needs some to put away. If I'm folding clothes, she needs some to fold. (She's excellent at folding dishtowels and washclothes!)

Piper talks 1,000 miles a minute. If she's not talking - she's singing. Either a song she's learned at church or school, or most likely, a song she's making up on the spot. She is the life of the party. When we walk into daycare, everyone knows her name. I'm not sure how they know her, but they do ... and they love her. Probably because she's the class clown. (See picture below)



Overall, she's a wee little girl. Very petite, although she's grown immensely over the past year. She's definitely getting taller, but not one bit wider!!! Her curly hair is down past the middle of her back when it's wet, but curls right up to above her shoulders when it is dry. She's our "Curly Girly"!!!



Here are the Top Five Reasons that I love this little girl:
(1) Because she can laugh at herself. I love that she is secure enough, at age 4, to know that sometimes you just have to laugh.

(2) Because she is loves to cuddle. She will always sit in your lap and let you love on her. If you ever want someone to cuddle up with, she's a willing partner.

(3) Because she is the most beautiful girl in the world. She has a definite outward beauty, but she is even more stunning on the inside. She has a heart for people that is 10 times her size.

(4) Because she is honest. She'll always tell the truth when asked and sometimes when she's not asked! It's encouraging to know that she understands that it's always better to tell the truth than to fib. However, she sometimes tells too much ... (i.e. standing the line at Target ... "I smell Dad's bottom!")

(5) Because she loves me as much as I love her. Piper is everything I ever prayed for in a little girl. She is so much fun to love and nurture. I am so blessed to wake up each day to not only one, but TWO answered prayers.

Happy Birthday, Piper. I hope you have an incredible year. I'm so glad that God chose me to be your Mommy.