Raelyn is FOUR!

Happy 4th Birthday to our sweet, spunky, sporty, and super smart girl! I have a few things I want to say about Raelyn before we get caught up in all the birthday celebrating. In some ways it seems like Raelyn has been 4 for several months now. It might be because she's been practicing "4" since November and really, it's easier to say she is four than three and three-quarters. In other ways I can't believe she isn't "Baby Raelyn" anymore. When she sees her baby photos she even says, "That's when I was Baby Raelyn. But now I am grown up Raelyn!" I quickly remind her that she is not grown up, but "Big Girl Raelyn." She seems content with that... for now.

There is no doubt that she has her own personality. She is outgoing, vocal, persistent, and loves to put on a show. She is rowdy and loves being active. She asks every single morning, "Is it dress day today?" and if the answer is, "it's pants day" she finds a way to put a skirt over the top of the pants to satisfy her girlishness. She prefers tights over leggings and headbands over ponytails. She can sit still for approximately 2.2 seconds unless there is a cartoon on the television. She enjoys painting, making cards, tracing letters (especially "her" R), and completing puzzles (especially our United States map puzzle).

Raelyn is smart and independent. She's also sweet and caring. She has great manners and every night at dinner she says, "Thank you for making us dinner, Mommy." The words come from her mouth in the most genuine way. There are (many) days when I think to myself that she's already outsmarting me and she's going to give me a run for my money!

I'm not sure how else to say that I completely adore this bundle of energy.  I love you, Big Girl Raelyn!! Here's a little interview with the birthday girl at age 4: