You're FOUR!

You are finally four. You have been waiting to be four since you turned three, because it means you can now go to school. Last year, when we asked you how old you were, you would say four; when we corrected you, you would burst into tears saying "nooo! I'm ffffoooouuuuurrr!"

And now you are. Welcome to years and years of homework hell, my darlin'.

This year was another big year for you. First of all, you moved. You moved far, far away from me and I miss you terribly. Actually, it's not THAT far...only a few measley hours away, but it's farther than you being right close to me.

You are now at the age where you know how to express yourself very well verbally. Like, sometimes when I call and your dad asks if you want to speak to me, you say you don't want to. And I know it's not personal, that you just don't feel like trying to make polite conversation. You must take after your Auntie. Because I know when I see you, you will know me. And you will say please and thank you and excuse me Auntie, just like you did before you left.

We got to spend Christmas with you this year, and I loved, loved having you. You are now in the age of PRESENTS!, and although you don't care who or where they came from, you knew enough that we were all family and had a good time talking, singing and showing us things....all of which I have on tape. I'll show it at either your prom or your wedding, depending on how generous I'm feeling.

It feels like time has flown by so fast. You were just a little baby yesterday, and you seem to grow more independant every year. Your first few years of school, you'll love your teachers. Slowly you'll come to the realization that their sole purpose on earth is to make your life a living hell. This will occur at the same time you start to think your parents are 'holding you back'. But let me tell you something, little girl: your parents think the sun and moon set on you, that you are one of the best things that ever happened to them. I think you are. So does the rest of our family.

You are still sensitive, and are getting used to keeping up with your little sister's antics...which are many. You are getting used to Skype-ing with us; most recently you Skyped us while opening your birthday gifties, and it was hilarious to see your face. Gramma gave you FIVE WHOLE DOLLARS in your wallet, and you almost lost it you were so excited.

You are also still into princesses, much to the chagrin of some. You will grow out of it eventually, because life is not a fairy tale; thankfully you are still too young to have worry about that. And I hope you never lose that innocence. But when you start to have questions, come and see me. We'll talk.

I love you and miss you so much.

Love always,
Auntie Redkap