A Letter To Emme

Dear Mary Elizabeth,

Today you are 3 years old! What a fun 3 years we've had with you.

You have an infectious laugh,
a sparkly personality, a flair for drama
and are a big ball of energy.
Emme, you are crazy smart, passionate and beautifully balanced. You want to do everything, know everything, be everything. You're having a difficult time being 3 because you know exactly what you want but can't always make us understand. And you don't take no for an answer. At least not without an Oscar winning performance. Your tantrums are fiery and choreographed. Someday, I'm sure, I will look back and admire your style.
I see many years ahead of soccer, ballet, gymnastics, piano, violin, tap, jazz, swimming, softball, volleyball, etc. You have the ability to be good at anything you put your mind to.
You are amazing.
Your favorite game at the moment is "I Spy". You use it to pass time, start conversation, redirect attention and... just for fun. "I spy sumpin... hmmm... hmmm... BLUE!" You always sign the color as well as speak it. Emme, you adore sign language and have an extensive ASL vocabulary. If you can move as well as speak, all the better. You are such a kinesthetic learner.
You have an amazing memory for movement. I am astonished when I watch you recreate dance steps and act out scenes from movies. You're turning out to be quite the actress.
You can memorize a scene and play it out verbatim. Singin' In The Rain is also one of your favorite films. You've just about nailed the flapper dance from the beginning. It's incredible!
You've also got the softest heart. You love so sweetly and also get your feelings hurt easily. I adore the way you gently pat my heart and tell me, "love you soooo much", in a little whisper. You give the best kisses and the hardest hugs. And like nothing better than to curl up into a tight little ball in my lap with your Nannie blanket and thumb. I hope that doesn't change for a long time.
There's a special bond between you and your Ruby. You call her Ruby Care and watch over and protect her. When we walk in parking lots, you tightly grip her hand and refuse to let go. You hug and kiss her and love to perpetuate the games that Ruby invents, just because it makes her happy.
You desperately want to read because Ruby can. And Emme, you're so close! You know all your beginning phonics, can sound out 3 letter words, and have at least 30 sight words.
You're a great little momma, Emme. You prefer to have two babies at all times, because that's how we roll around here. You rub their heads softly and say, "Ohhhh, baby." Then, tuck them in, feed them and show them the sights.
You love to pretend just about anything. Right now, you're enamoured with Sea World and pretend to be dolphins and whales splashing in the water. My bed comforter is your preferred ocean playground. Unless it's swimming pool time. You like that so much, you call it the "swimming cool".

Emme, just like you tell your Daddy... You. Rock.!!
Happy birthday darling girl. Daddy and I love you so very much.

A Letter To Ruby

Dear Ruby,

Today you are three years old. And you are incredible. You have a wide open heart that loves deeply. You adore your sister and think your Daddy hung the moon. But, you're still a Mama's girl deep down.
You learn quickly and have, what appears to be, a photographic memory. Your favorite toys are those that allow you to read, spell and count. You are reading. You have an incredible vocabulary, and just about every word you can say, you can read. You have a gift for language, all languages, actually. And you are endlessly frustrated that you don't yet have the skills to write the words you want to spell. Right now, you cope by taking my hand and asking me to write the words for you.
You're intent on asserting your independence right now. "No" and "Stop it" are becoming regular words in your repertoire (but so are please and thank you). And, Ruby, you can throw yourself a fit to beat the band. It is loud and long and raw. Believe me, your Daddy and I get the point you're making. But you don't throw that fit until you've exhausted every other option. The mental gymnastics you exert to get your way are astonishing. Ruby, you're not confrontational, but you are the most determined person I've ever met.
That is a trait that has served you well and will continue to do so (however challenging it makes it to be your parent).

You are working hard in occupational therapy, and you love it! Miss D, the OT, is your personal rock star and you eagerly anticipate the days you work with her.
You say, "Come on, Miss D, let's play! See the toys? Let's go!"
and then you hustle her down the hallway with barely a backward look for me.
I am so proud of this! Already, you are less sensory defensive, are putting together more original sentences and relying less on your amazing memorized arsenal of phrases, and are climbing and moving more freely. You'll be running and jumping with your Sissy soon, Ruby!
This year you've learned to sing (in tune). You love to sing. Your favorite song at the moment is "Singin' in the Rain". At any given moment you'll bust out with "What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again!" It makes me smile every time.
When you watch the movie, though, your favorite part is the Moses Supposes song and dance. For that, you grab your Sissy's hand and the two of you execute your own version of a tap dance routine.
My favorite line that you quote from the movie is, "I.ain't.people!" You use it with serious comedic timing.
You do a lot of things with great comedic timing, actually.
A month ago, you were climbing on a pile of books. I told you to get down and commented that those books were not stairs. With a deadpan expression, you cut your eyes to the book on which you were standing, then looked back at me and said, "my.first.steps." And, sure enough, that's what the book said, complete with a picture of a child climbing some stairs.

Ruby, you have an obsession with toothbrushes. And hats. The toothbrush thing greatly annoys your Daddy. Because it's his toothbrush you particularly love. Once, I asked you where that toothbrush belonged, hoping to get you to replace it on the counter. You told me it went 'in the potty'. I think that's when Daddy really got nervous. You seriously crack me up.
As for hats, anything can be a hat in your world. It's one of the fun ways that you play pretend.
You love to pretend to play different instruments... violin, flute, drums, piano and guitar are at the top of the list. You're very rooted in reality most of the time, so, you sometimes surprise me when your imagination leaps out. The day you dragged your Magnadoodle all over the house by the pen-on-a-string and announced that you were walking the dog, was unexpected! And wonderful!
You make me teary, Ruby, when you sing "Tis So Sweet" and when you run to your Sissy and grab her in a full hug and just hang on as long as she'll let you. I know you're just feeling all that love well up inside you and that's just the best way to show how you feel. You're always so sweet to share with her. When you get a lollipop, you hand it to Sissy before selecting one for yourself.
You are amazingly special, Ruby Claire. Your Daddy and I love you so very much.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jellybean.