Emme's Letter

Dear Emme,

You are officially 4 years old. You have started to settle into your personality, which is a bit larger than life. You're full of contradictions, shy and boisterous, rowdy and dainty, dramatic and subdued. Just when someone tries to peg you, you change. Even finding a song to reflect this past year for your slide show was a challenge. The words for all that you are have not been compiled into one piece of music. So, I chose an instrumental piece called Ode to a Butterfly. I think that fits.

Emme, you adore going to preschool and just delight in each new experience. Ms. Melissa is one of your favorite people ever and you cozy up to her like she's your second mama. Complete entitled ownership and a hundred percent assurance that you are loved and wanted in her lap and arms. Props to you and Ms. Melissa for pulling that off without excluding the rest of the class.

You love to make people laugh, Emme. It brings you great joy to put on a silly face and get a giggle from someone. You're also a fan of the dramatic entrance, the beauty queen wave and theatrical emotions. If I had a dime for each time you've exclaimed, "Oh No!" with a staged gasp and grand gestures, we'd have college knocked out for you. I won't be a bit surprised to see you take the leads in musical theater (and life in general). You've got a gift and a penchant for the spotlight.

Another abiding love of yours is dance. This year you discovered The Nutcracker and just can't get enough of it. Emme, you listen to the music several times a week; page through a picture book of the ballet; practice the dancers' poses from the book; absorb the ballet itself on our dvd recording and just love every aspect. But you're no dance snob. You love it all. Each dance you observe is studied and replicated to the best of your abilities. And you've got skills! You're a natural and a quick study, to boot. Tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, ballroom... I've seen you imitate them all. Dance lessons are on your horizon, darling girl.

Oh, Emme, you have such a sweet spirit. There is a deep well of kindness inside of you that bubbles forth. You are so incredibly helpful because you just love to be available and give of yourself. The ways you observe and take mental notes when you see a need to be filled is amazing. If you don't have a chance to take action immediately, you wait and step in the next time the need is present. I think that's such an advanced ability and I'm so very proud of your precious heart.

I've been greatly privileged to watch your imagination take flight this past year. It is extraordinary! You role play and create elaborate scenarios with ease and great delight. My personal favorite is switching places. You get to be mama and I'm Emme. You are such a doll and so patient when you're playing 'Mama'. I test you and you never hit the wall; bringing me blankets, singing songs, reading stories, extra kisses, snacks, cups of water, more covers... Really! I'm a pill. And you, darling girl, help me see myself through your eyes and make me want to be all that you believe and more.

This year, Emme, you learned to use the potty. You did it in one day and never looked back. You also figured out that your ticket to the universe is a tall step stool. There is nothing you won't or can't access yourself, though you are polite enough to ask permission (sometimes while in progress or afterwards). You are miss independence...unless there's a strange man in the vicinity. That's your shy-kryptonite. Not such a bad thing, I think. You hide behind me and whisper over and over, 'don't be shy. don't be shy'. Emme, it's ok to be shy or need to borrow a little courage. You're brave without being reckless. It's a valuable thing to have a little internal caution.

Emme, you've worked hard this year in speech therapy. The words and ideas are all there, you just have a little trouble getting it all out in a comprehensive sentence. But it doesn't slow you down a bit. Your mind is so intriguing. I love listening to you string thoughts together, finding patterns, making connections, building your imaginative repertoire. You are decoding three and four letter words now and have an arsenal of sight recognition words. Though, you still rely on us or Ruby to have a story read, you're capable of working through some beginning readers yourself. However, you much prefer to draw. Quiet moments throughout the day often find you seated in your art corner, sketching faces and practicing letters. I watched you run to grab a magnadoodle board the other day and sketch different scenes from a television show. As the story changed, you wiped the board and began a new sketch of the revised story. Your movements were fast and sure and the scenes I saw unfold on the magnadoodle completely made sense because I saw what you were sketching. Unbelievable! How do you know how to do that?

You are a treasure, precious Mary Elizabeth. I am so incredibly proud of you and the little lady you are becoming. You can do anything and be anything you want. I believe that with all my heart. No matter how things change I hope you always want to snuggle with me first thing in the morning and ask for whispered secrets every night before sleep. I pray you grow with grace into confidence and integrity full of patience and loving kindness. I love you Moses.

love,

Mama

Ruby's Letter

Dear Ruby,

You are officially 4 years old. This year has been an adventure. Right after you turned 3 we found out that there might be more going on than just a sensory processing issue. It was a launching point for us, as a family, to make sure that you had access to everything you needed to be the very best Ruby you could be. So, much of this year has been taken up with trips to occupational therapy and speech, researching and praying. Our weekly visits with Miss D are highlights for you because they are full of swinging and playing and leave you feeling balanced and sure of yourself. I am completely wowed by your progress this year in communicating, socializing and acclimating to new situations.

This year you learned how to use the potty. You never ever have an accident out in public or at preschool and rarely at home. I love how proud you are of your accomplishments and also how methodical you are about always having a book at hand for a lengthier stay on the toilet. You are a planner and not one to be caught off-guard. Such a funny thing to learn about you from potty training, but there it is. I think this will be a life long attribute that will serve you well.

Your imagination really took off this year. Most often you pull pretend play ideas from stories you've read or movies you've watched. But more and more, I'm seeing the creativity inside of you spill out into your words and actions. I particularly love the way you revise songs to reflect what's going on in your imagination. Your songs also reflect your keen sense of humor. That and your sparkly eyes. Sometimes your humor is a little wicked. However, it only takes a quick look into your big blue eyes to see the joke hiding there instead of the naughty I expected to find. Just like your Daddy in that respect!

Oh! Speaking of songs, Ruby, you.love.to.sing. Your memory for song lyrics and tunes is just insane. When I hear you humming the tunes from songs on the Christian radio station or singing the refrain from the worship songs in church, I could just cry, it's so sweet. Ruby, you really have a heart for worship and have already learned so many scriptures through song. I hope you'll always have those Words readily accessible in your heart and mind.

Ruby, you have completed a year of preschool and Ms. Melissa has nothing but nice things to say about you. She noted your unique and thorough way of problem solving, how bright you are and how incredibly determined, too. You have blown away your specials teachers with your ability to recall details from past classes. Especially the Chinese lessons from Ms. Jillian during music class. Wow! You are a natural at languages!

Your list of things you love is long and varied. Your family, especially your Emme, top the list in your prayers each night. But, when asked what else you'd like to pray for, you immediately add Sesame Street characters. The four favorites still go to bed with you each night. Your favorite books this year have been compendiums, sequels and series. You share my love of a story that doesn't end. You read like other people breathe, without thought, it's just there. It's so incredible to watch the world open up to you through books. Reading is your passion, but your love language is bacon and cupcakes. Kiddo, you adore the salty and sweet things. Lemonade with 'bubbles' is still a favorite drink and you've got a real soft spot for anything that holds frosting (cupcakes, donuts, cookies). For your birthday this year, I made you an entire cupcake liner full of frosting. With sprinkles, of course.

Ruby, you are so independent now, though you still hang close to me for security. At home you can do it all by yourself. When we're out and about, you get a little anxious at times and still ask to 'be my baby'. I spent the first part of the year pushing you a little further and encouraging you to walk towards the things that seemed to worry you; brave through the transitions that seem so scary and be courageous in the face of looming obstacles. But, you know what, Ruby? You are, inherently, one of the bravest people I have ever known. It occurred to me one day that holding you a little longer or staying nearby for comfort didn't diminish any of that courage. It just gives you the assurance that we're in this together. You are not alone. So, as we finished out your year, out and about type things became much smoother as you relaxed in the knowledge that you would not be asked to fly until you were ready to spread your wings. As one would anticipate, you've begun flying faster and farther all on your own. You amaze me.

You often call me by my first name now, because it gets you swifter results. But, when you really need a mother, you still say 'Mama'. Especially at night when you ask me to tell you secret prayers in your ear.

I love you dearly, Ruby Claire, and am so blessed to be your mother.

Love,

Mama

the sweetest things

Yesterday we celebrated Em's and Roo's 4th birthday. How in the world is that number even correct?

Our rockin' playgroup helped us ring in the next year in style. With lots of laughter and love.

We had cupcakes to decorate yourself, giant cupcakes for candles and birthday songs and mini cupcakes dipped in chocolate. So.Delicious. Daddy made Rowdy Girl root beer again and puffed up a gigantic jumpy house for all the kids. The sandbox and playscape were open for business, too. And the weather was brillant.

Roo and Em had the best time and felt so important and special.

It was all we hoped for and more.

rainbows and bubbles

Our friends celebrated their 4th birthday today. Em and Roo highly anticipated this event all week. But, storms threatened to ruin all the outside fun. We held our breath as rain pelted the car on route to the party.

Fortunately, just as we arrived, the rain moved on and out came a rainbow...

From the center of the cake!

The Rowdy Girls were completely charmed.

To make it an even more perfect party, the hosts pulled out the bubble machine. Fabulous!

(And how about these little dresses? Marmee smocked them for Aunt Kaki a long time ago. They still look amazing!)

babaloo!

The RGs were prayed for and kissed goodnight at 7:30pm. As soon as their door closed, the slumber party began. It's this way every evening.

Tonight, the pillow talk morphed into a pretend birthday party. Em sang the birthday song to Roo, Roo sang to Em. They gave each other cake, blew out candles, offered ice cream and pizza to one another.

Then, the silliness amped up. Games of catch and release with their Nannie Blankets. Lots of giggling. Giggling led to shrieking which segued into screaming.

J and I put on our parent pants and broke up the party.

Upon closing the door, I heard them whisper, "goodnight Em" "goodnight Roo".

Immediately that was followed (in regular voice, not a whisper) by, "Do you want to sing?" "Sure!"

An hour later, they're still going. J's been back in twice to restore order and tuck them back in. I just heard someone sing the alphabet song and then scream "Babaloo!!" It's 9:43pm.

J's going back in now.

bumpy tummy

Roo woke up moaning in the wee hours of the morning. She wanted her music turned back on. On my second trip, she asked for some water. My third trip was met with the smell of vomit. Roo said she'd "spilled" and "needed a napkin". I wonder why she didn't tell me about her tummy ache? Usually, she's quick to let me know that her tummy is "bumpy". I wonder why I didn't clue in with the moaning and the requests for water and all?

Those things, especially, in the middle of the night, are unlike her.

Her Nannie Blanket bore the mark of the initial 'spill' and did its time in the wash. Roo was content to sleep with her Sesame Street dolls, thankfully. So, J and I spent a fitful night sandwiched between Roo, Elmo, Grover, Ernie and Cookie Monster. In between sleeps, we spent the rest of the night racing to the bathroom.

This is the third go around on the tummy bug for Roo since Christmas. She's a pro now.

Roo sits on the step stool in front of the potty, grips the porcelain rim, waits for the big tummy bump and hits her mark each time. We clean her face, swish some water and stumble back to the bed together. She immediately passes out from exhaustion, maybe sleeps an hour and then moans awake. That's my cue. "Is your tummy bumpy?" "Yes. No. Yes!" And off we go again.

Roo's mending. She made a lot of quick potty trips this morning, giant children's edition of All Creatures Great and Small in one hand.

(My girl likes to read. If she's to be stuck on the potty, might as well be entertained.)

The book is approximately 1/3 of her height. It's pretty comical.

If she keeps gravitating towards large compendium-type literature, we may have to get her a Kindle. By the way, if you're ever hanging around here and you hear Roo ask where her James Herriot book is... that means she needs some quality time in the bathroom.

So, all this to say, we are sick, tired, recovering and still finding the humor in daily life.

chicken littles

We love us some hats here at the Rowdy House. Daddy wears a ball cap nearly every day. The dress up trunk is packed full of every style imaginable. The dresser drawers have a decent selection of publicly acceptable head wear, too. Hats are tres chic.

Tonight, I rediscovered a long forgotton sun hat purchased for one of those loungy beach vacays we used to take. Much to Em's and Roo's amusement, I wore it during their bath time. As soon as they were out of the tub, they ran for the (current) favorite hats, cute pink crocheted newsboy caps. Then, they assigned J a felt fedora with a kind of oom-papa vibe.

So, there we were. Wearing our hats and prepping for bed.

The hats served as a gateway to imagination land. Somewhere along the line, little girls in hats morphed into baby chicks. Clucking and peeping chicks running about their room, flapping their arms wings. Naturally, J and I broke out in song. Well, sort of. We hummed the Chicken Dance.

You've not seen anything cuter than Em and Roo dancing the Chicken Dance in their nighties and pink caps. Most especially the finale with the booty wiggle.

Roo told me, on my way out the door, 'goodnight chicken mama'.

Goodnight chicken littles.

bluebonnets: then and now

it's a day to celebrate!

Happy Easter from the Rowdy Girl Family!

my soccer

Em had an opportunity to take a soccer skills class over spring break. She was so excited about 'my soccer'.

It kicked off with a special trip to purchase cleats, shin guards, shorts and tall socks.

The morning of the first class saw a super excited little girl off to soccer camp with her daddy.

Even though she was a little shy around Coach Dan and not too thrilled to be sharing her special pink soccer ball, Em was still pumped to go back the next day.

By the end of the week, Em learned the basics in: dribbling, single and double touches, shooting and some basic ball agility.

She was also feeling a bit more in control and felt free to shush the people around her.

Em will have a chance to participate in the summer league through our local YMCA this summer and Roo says she'd like to play, too. I'm sure we're in for a crazy rowdy ride!

egg hunters

What a fun week Em and Roo have had!

We kicked it off with our super cool playgroup's annual Easter egg hunt. The weather was perfect. The kids had a blast and Em and Roo ate their body weight in candy. (The next day and a half was a little rough, but the candy hangover is gone now.)

Pre-hunt, with an empty basket.

The starting line-up before seven sets of multiples and our singleton friends hit the egg-hunting fields.

Roo with her loot.

Today, the girls enjoyed round 2 at preschool. The eggs for school are candy-free, so Roo was not nearly so excited about her finds. She.Loves.Candy. Em, however, netted a couple of bouncy balls, a hopping frog and all the stickers that she could fit on her knees.

Very successful hunting trip.

Look at those cute baskets they made in class. They were so proud.