Happy Fourth Birthday, Lena!

Dear Lena,

What a year you've had, sweetie! I was looking at pictures of your third birthday this morning. Your legs have grown, your face is more adult looking, and you are blossoming into even more of a sweetheart.

Daddy and I are so proud of your tender heart. When we read the book about the bear who became friends with a homeless man, you were close to tears as you thought about someone not having a home. You want to give all the coins in your piggy bank to the children who don't have enough food for lunch. "They don't have peanut butter and jelly, mama. If I give them my money, they can get some," you say.

We're proud of what a wonderful big sister you are. Last month when we went to the inflatable bounce place with friends, you waited for so long at the top of the slide for your little sister to struggle up the steps. You let children go past you many times, just so that you could hold her hand as you went down together. You painstakingly press puzzle pieces into her hand and guide her to do puzzles that are way too advanced for her. You tuck her into your bed and then snuggle next to her to read together.

You are making your own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches now, and you love the color purple and the number 20. You loudly proclaim that Aisle 20 is your favorite to all the shoppers in Shop Rite. You love Thomas the Train, but we are only allowed to name the engines in numerical order. You put your blocks away in color coded order and you can count to 100. You love to read and do puzzles, and you have an avid imagination. You help mama sort the laundry, even though you usually jump in it after that!

Do you remember last week, when I asked you what it felt like to have a Daddy and Mommy who love you so much? You dimpled and wrapped your arms around your cute little self and said, "It feels like looooooove, mama!" And you were right, because every time I look at you, Lena Bean, it feels like love.

Love. Forever.
Mama