Half Birthday Girl

Miss Lucie B., you tried to convince me that you were actually turning four and a half this week. I'm not ready for that yet, though I do agree that you're growing like crazy. Just recently, you sprouted up an inch in only one month. Suddenly long pants turned into capris on you. Before you start fitting clothes from my closet, here's a glimpse of wonderful, thoughtful, creative, amazing, and not-quite-four-year-old you.

You love assigning family roles to every creature, stuffed, plastic, or real, that you meet. At the zoo, you'll quickly point out which giraffes are the mommy, daddy and baby. Your stuffed animals all have a brother, sister, Gigi, Papa, Grandma and Grandpa. You've even given babies to soccer balls and forks. Everyone is part of a family.

Family assignments are just a part of your rich imagination. Recently, you've been telling us all about your sister. Sometimes she's a baby, and sometimes she's ten years old and lives in Chicago. Like so many of your friends, she has an elegant and extravagant name, Lavinia. I'm still trying to figure out how I have a daughter that I've never met, but that's no matter. Lavinia sounds like a great gal (like her sis).

Other literary friends of yours include Madeline, Olivia, Frances, Angelina and Nancy. You love a good story, especially if it involves a little girl and a grand adventure. These girls rarely disappoint. Each time we go to the library, you search out a book on one of your favorite friends, that we're sure to read over and over and over again.

You're beginning to be very interested in languages. You're fascinated by letters and have learned to write the letters "LUC" in your name. We've been teaching you bits of Spanish and French, and you've been teaching us your own versions of these languages. You'll say a funny word like "yanky" or "net-spek", and when I ask what it means, you reply with, "Well, Mommy, that's just Fwench for park" or "Spanish for placemat". Oh, well of course.

You love to be outside, singing, skipping, and collecting rocks and sticks. When we go to a park down the street, we pass through a beautiful grove of Eucalyptus trees, now nicknamed "Stick Alley". Like all good Eucalyptus trees, these trees leave sticks and leaves everywhere, which you adore. You'll fill your hands with sticks, deposit them in the stroller, and fill your hands again. As Papa says, our Lucie cannot pass down a good stick.

You are incredibly affectionate. Your "baby bird" and bear hugs are the warmest, biggest hugs I've ever had. I never want to let go. Before bed, you'll sing out before we close the door, "Don't forget your baby bird hug!" You love to save up hugs for Daddy's return from work or visits with relatives. There's nothing like a Lucie hug.

Thanks for making every day a grand and exciting adventure, Lucie. I love being by your side.