Happy 4th Birthday Reese!

I can't believe it's been four years already (I'm sure parents say that every year but it's so true).  Our little girl is not so little anymore.  Next year (likely on her actual birthday) she'll be starting Kindergarten (one of the youngest but possibly still one of the tallest if she continues on her current trajectory :)  Unfortunately I can't spend Reese's actual birthday with her this year (likely the story for many birthdays to come, sadly) but she is in Rhode Island with CK, Asher, Nana, Great Nana, Granddad, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Michelle and Cousin Grace so I have no doubt she's having a great birthday.  Until I can get there myself tomorrow night here are some observations for my little girl on her 4th birthday.

• I recognize that I am slightly biased as your proud mother but I think you are still a very precocious child.  Recently you started showing interest not only in reading books, but in having us teach you the words and sound them out.  You want to learn to read and we are doing our best to start teaching you, hoping it becomes a lifelong habit and hobby that will take you far.
• Perhaps because you are the oldest child of 2 oldest children it was inevitable that you would start to show leadership (a.k.a. bossiness) at a young age.  Not only do you tell your brother Asher what to do but you like to take charge in a room, whether it be a group of kids or a group of adults.  You have no fear at all.
• You love to sing and dance.  I often refer to you as a walking "Glee" episode (there's a fun culture reference that you can look up when you're 15 and reading this).  You break out into song and often sing instead of speaking, much like a musical.  You love to dance and will do so with or without music.  You actually have a pretty good voice (unlike Mommy) so you can probably thank Grandpa Craig for that.
• We moved into our new house in July so that has been a pretty big milestone.  We don't yet have a yard yet but you love to go to the park or your cousins' house to play in their backyard.  You especially like the trampoline and have no fear of jumping (I, of course, can't watch, because I see broken bones and head injuries).
• You have started to show a lot of interest in babies.  Not just the dolls, but younger kids we see.  You coo at them and try to help them walk.  Hopefully this is your way of preparing to be a big sister again and help Mommy and Daddy out in 3 months when your baby sister shows up.  
• You love the water and probably would have stayed in the lake all day this summer if we let you.  You haven't learned to swim yet but hopefully next summer you will.
• Dress up is one of your favorite things to do.  You like to wear ballerina dresses and sparkly shoes, hats, necklaces, etc.  You also like to wear Mommy's clothes and shoes and even invented (on your own) an ingenious way to keep Mommy's shoes on your feet by putting hairbands around them to secure them to your feet.  Pretty adorable.
• Even though you fight with Asher (like any sister/brother would) you are also very thoughtful sometimes with him.  When we were shopping in Costco for Dora underwear for you, Asher said he wanted some and you, very thoughtfully, replied, "No, Asher.  We need to get you vacuum underwear." referring to your brother's ongoing obsession with vacuums.
• You still love Dora and drawing and princesses and all the other things little girls typically like.  You requested a princess cake for your birthday with pink and blue flowers.
• You were probably officially fully potty trained this past Spring and once you decided you were ready, you've barely had any accidents. [I'm sure you'll love reading about that one when you're older.  You're welcome.]  You now basically dress yourself (and have strong opinions on everything from your underwear to what barrette you'll be wearing that day).
• You like to paint your toe and fingernails.  Purple, pink, red...sometimes all three.
• You're still very tall and very big for your age.  You're wearing a size 6 or 6X in clothes.  Kaitlyn (who's 8) basically just hands her clothes directly down to you these days.  You speak really well, though, and I think Asher is speaking well for his age because he listens to you.  It's cute when I can't understand what Asher is saying but you interpret it for me.
• You're stubborn like your parents (sorry, that one was inevitable given your genes) but you do well when we sit you down and explain something to you.  You may not want to hear it (especially if we're saying why you can't do something) but you do some to thoughtfully consider what we're saying (most of the time anyway).  I can tell that little mind is racing a million miles an hour.

Happy 4th birthday Reese!  I hope it's as wonderful as you.  We can't wait to watch you this next year as you become a big sister again and get ready for school.