Day 166...just ask

I love the four year-old stage, although I've loved all the other stages as well.

Four year-olds love to question things.  And I get to be there for all of your questions that, in your mind, are truly pressing.

What does brown and white make?

When I get older, am I going to have a different daddy?

Why do we really need grass?

I have questions too.  For most people, the older we get, the more we think we have the answers, and the less searching we do.  For me, I don't want to lose the childlike sense of wonder that I had when I was little. When I was four, I'm sure I asked about things like you, "Did we ever have tails?"  Now that I'm older, I realize how much I need to seek after God, never satisfied with my knowledge or experience with Him, hungering for Him, knowing that there is more to grab hold of.  Keep asking.  Keep seeking.  It will keep you young, humble and innocent for a lot of days.

Dear Sadie.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."  James 1:5

Day 165...sibling love

If I could give you any advice about having multiple children, it would this:  more than one is the best!  Nothing against only children, I think you are great!  But when I get to observe the way you and your brother interact and enjoy one another, there are few things in the world that can bring such joy.  My sister always spoke about how much she enjoyed (and still does) watching her children together, and how unique and wonderful it is.  I fully agree!  It is a treasure for sure.  So if there's ever any doubt, take it from me!  Go for two at least!

Today you were helping Titus out of the car and saying, "Here, Titus.  Take me hand."  Then you looked up at me and said. "Aren't I a good big sister?  I just love him."  You will always know each other in a way like no other, so cherish your relationship as long as you walk this earth together.

Dear Sadie.

Day 164...Curious George

For your birthday party, there were a few privileges that made quite an impression on you, the "birthday girl."  (Your brother was too young to even know the difference)  If you thought it was having cake or snow cones, yes, maybe.  But...the next day, it became apparent to me that you were aware of the "birthday girl" rights, and thought you'd continue those as long as possible.  What I mean is, you were first in line at the obstacle course, first to eat cake, you chose the pink balloon and didn't want anyone else to have the pink one cause you were the birthday girl.  I am sure I'm the one to get you started on this concept, I'll admit it!

So the next day we're popping in your new Curious George DVD, and the birthday girl phenomenon comes back to bite me.  I say, "Okay, so you can watch one, maybe two of the episodes on here.  There are six."  But to that you reply, "Okay, maybe all of them." (smiling at me)  "I can watch all of them because I'm the birthday girl!"  I say, "Um, not anymore?  The party is over."  To which you reply, "Nope, the signs are still up!"  We just both laughed together at your wit and humor.  "I better get those down soon!"  As we laughed at how clever you are, I realized I just gave in to your thinking.  No harm done, just a little extended birthday fun.  In the end, you grew tired of watching t.v. after one or two episodes, so Mommy still knows best. :)

Dear Sadie.

Day 163...yes, captain!

So yesterday we were trying to get baths done and go to bed as quickly as possible, as you guys had a fun and active day with no naps over at a friend's house.  So I said rather sweetly, "Okay, Sadie.  Time to go upstairs and get ready for a bath now."  Your reply was, "No, Mommy.  I'm going to stay here and color a little longer."  You didn't say it nastily or anything, just rather matter-of-factly.  So to that I replied, "Okaaay, Sadie that's kind of being bossy with Mommy.  How about you try asking me, 'Mommy, can I stay here just a minute and then come?"  I was trying to show you the difference between your statement and asking for my permission in a respectful manner.  You seemed to get the point rather easily, and then replied, "Okay. When I get older, I will boss my children."  I don't doubt it! :)  I finished with, "Yes, Sadie, we do get to boss our children, but I think of it more like training.  You are in training on what to do, not do, things like that.  So mommy and daddy are helping you learn those behaviors."  You understood, but somehow I think you like the idea of being the "boss."  Future leader in training! :)


Dear Sadie.


"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Day 162...parties

As fun as birthday parties are, I'm learning the role of a mother giving them for her children.  Although I said I didn't want to, I combined your parties into one this year, with your permission. It made me so proud that you were so willing to share your special day with Titus.  It helps that you have exactly the same friends right now, and that Titus has little to no idea what's going on anyways!

But like I started out saying, as fun as birthdays are, they can get kind of crazy.  And though your mama enjoys parties, hosting, making people feel welcome, leading the activities and all of that...I just wish there were a way to slooooow it all down.  You have to sort of stay within a time frame and keep the flow going, while what I really want to be doing is sitting down and taking it all in...my babies are growing up, and this is "their day," and I want to sit back and have fun with them and watch what they do and how they react.  After all, it only comes around once a year!

It was a fun day, and I don't want to take away from that.  It's just that all the preparing you do, for it all to end in two short hours, it's hard to soak in the moment, as I so often try to do while you both are so young.

Four years into it, and each year, some things keep getting easier.  That is, you kind of know what to expect and what to do and not do, each year adding to the knowledge of the one before.  Scratch that!  That's a tradition!  Fun!  Yikes!

I hope you take one year at a time and learn as you go, like me.  And allow yourself to look like a fool at times, and not get caught up with perfect, keeping up with the Joneses, or doing way more than your kids will ever notice.  Keep it about them, and you're sure to build many memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

I'll never forget your first (and last?) "joint party."  You two are growing closer by the minute, so of course it suited you well to celebrate you together (not to mention it suited the pocketbook as well!).  My favorite moment was the one depicted by the picture, where you, the big sister, reached over and nonchalantly covered Titus' mouth so he wouldn't prematurely blow out the candles.  I love that he doesn't mind the way you "mother" him, so much.  It's so darn cute.  At least he doesn't mind for now. :)

Dear Sadie.

Day 161...to be posted

sadie's birthday post coming soon

Day 160...Four

Turning four means, according to you, little miss independent...

--I don't need to be carried anymore

--I can swim now

--I can read now

And, "Mommy, I don't feel like I'm four."

Dear Sadie.