Dear Vada,

Your second year of life was a blur for all of us, but look how much you've changed in that short time!

Your determination is amazing.  You take on this world seriously, complete with a furrowed brow.

You have been riding horses since you were born, pretty much daily. You LOVE them.  You know each of their brush buckets.  You know where to find your little purple helmet.



Everyone loves watching you with the horses.  You're such a big, brave girl in a little body. You don't take sass from those ponies.  Thor is your buddy. You go catch him, brush, ride, take his gear off, brush, take him back to pasture.  All under a watchful eye, but you insist on doing these things yourself. 


Being out on the farm is just your thing.  You've held baby goats, put the chickens away, checked for eggs, fed the bunny, warmed up the horses for clients, and every day, you love to sit and eat with Susie and feed Blossom her treats.  You're neurotic about closing gates and putting everything back in it's place. It's good to have a little neat freak around.


You're also a little builder.  You were obsessed with Rowan's model engine and our "Take-Apart Plane". You are obsessed with anything "pane" (airplane), actually.



 

And you're legit crazy!  Undoubtedly the most daring of the pack.  You are always testing the limits.  I often find you standing on top of the piano leaning against Buddy's cage, or on teetering on top of the toilet seat trying to reach your toothbrush, or on top of the kitchen island swaying while jokingly saying "whoa whoa whoa!"

You love a good selfie. I don't know where you learned to lean in, but you're the selfie queen.


I thought you were going to give up nursing last summer, but you held on and still like your "milties" on demand, though you did start accepting a bottle every now and then.

Besides "milties" you say "moh" (more - generally in reference to food, or riding, or swinging), and "meese" (please). 

You're two now, but the two-nager showed up a few months before you had your birthday. You're so sassy! (And we love it).  There's no question who's the boss around here.

Cid,

As usual, I am late.  It's just that your fifth year encompassed so much! 

There were a lot of firsts, like Disneyland....

Most obviously, you became a kindergartner.  As part of that you grew into your own skin.  You found your courage and learned that you can be successful by just being you.  You made new friends, but one in particular, your friend A.  The two of you have navigated hurdles that the schoolyard always offers and learned to apologize and forgive.

You've become a pretty awesome artist. It started thanks to Mrs. Connolly's great "Art Lab" and the school's art classes. The doodles and creations you brought home from school are actually really good!  Then there was this moment when Opa was visiting and he painted our little bridge.  You and Rowan watched intently, but you were especially captivated.  You asked Opa if you could have the painting and when he said you couldn't, you decided to pirate it!  You had a blast taking "secret" photos so you could keep it (sort of).






Penguins are you favorite animals. Your favorite jokes are poop and butt jokes. You pretend to hate mommy kisses, but you still love a snuggle at bedtime.  Vada constantly bugs you because she thinks you're so awesome but the feeling isn't entirely mutual, although, you often tell me how cute she is (when she's not trying to play with one of YOUR toys).  When I pick you up from school, your first question is always, "How is Rowan doing?" because he's still your hero. Your second question is always, "Did you bring me a snack?"  And lemme tell ya, Lord have mercy if I didn't!

Did I mention that your hair is still the talk of the town?  You've got all kinds of fan boys and girls over it, because who wouldn't be envious of your laid back, beach-y look?  But sometimes I miss your eyebrows and when that happens, you get a sweet & short cut and look just as handsome. 

In true middle-child fashion, you think we never spend any time with you and don't care about you.  I know that your feelings are true for you. Through the chaos of farm/business/family life, we see you and we love you so so much. We see you being a little scared and a lot brave and solving problems and being resourceful.  We see you doing your very best every day.  And while you are beginning to see our shortcomings, know that you mean the world to Daddy and me, and we are so incredibly proud of you.  We're no longer superheroes in your eyes. We're human. Humans who are blessed to hear your laugh, feel your hugs, watch you draw and swim, watch you thrive in life. 


Every year for these posts, I look back at photos and think "you looked so little then" because every year you grow up so much and it's not something I'm ever prepared for.  This time is flying by and I can't slow it down.

 

So I will love you relentlessly through long, tired, grumpy, hangry days, and I will live for the hugs, kisses, laughs, snuggles, and happiness that you might let slip.

Love you to to moon and back and around the stars x infinity,

Momma

Well, Hello!