To Cora Fair, on your 4th Birthday

Dear Cora,

You are turning four! What a fun year this has been to watch you grow. You are becoming quite a girl and this year has shown to be such a year of advancement for you. There are some things I'd especially like to remember about you at this stage.

You continue to be my creative child. You could spend your days just painting, coloring, and drawing. Anytime someone pulls out crayons, paints, paper, play dough, or even just a pencil, you're wanting to draw. You still sing and dance all day long. Whether it's a hymn, a song from preschool, a song from the radio, or one you've simply come up with on your own, you're singing all the time. Your dad and I often smile when driving in the car because we can hear you singing while gazing out the window. You come up with your own dances and anytime you hear a good beat, you're swinging your hips. Sometimes you'll come up to me and ask if I want to hear a new song you made up; they are always the most excellent songs. I love that you can always find a reason to sing and always think there's something to be created. I hope you never stop thinking that.

You love to read and are starting to ask if I'll teach you how to read yourself. If I were to set a huge pile of books in front of you, you would spend your day asking someone to read to you then flipping through them yourself. Your my child that I can read to for hours, and you never tire of it. You like princess books, lots of board books, and listening to your Bible. I'll often find you in your room, flipping through pages, retelling stories as much as you can. It's such a sweet sight.

You are such a smart girl. This year you were determined to learn your Old Testament books by the time you turned four and four days before your birthday, you did it! I was so impressed by your determination. I'm so amazed at how quickly you learn and your vocabulary is quite extensive. It's hard to believe we're coming up on your last year of preschool; but you love school and I, along with so many others, see the teachable spirit in you.

You are a girly girl. You love to run in your room in the mornings and decide what to wear. You like dresses and getting your hair fixed. You like shoes and makeup.You adore getting your nails painted. You'' ask for different colors on your fingers and a totally different set of colors on your toes. I've had to discipline you a couple times for getting into my nail polish after telling you to let it be. I am so excited that you're so girly; it makes me very happy to think of all the girly things we can do together as you get older.

You're a prayerful gal. You have floored your dad and I with the things you tell us God is speaking to you. I love that you're learning so early on that God is still speaking to His people; I see a mighty future for you in His kingdom. Please, please, never let anyone tell you your gift isn't valuable; it's beautiful and a GIFT from your Lord.

You are always your daddy's girl. You squeal with delight when he comes through the door after work. You will barely let him out of your sight when he's home. You wake up in the middle of the night and come in our room simply (I think) so you can snuggle up to him. You still ask him if he'll rock you at night. You get all dressed up and ask him to tell you how pretty you are (and he happily obliges). Remember though, "Pretty is as pretty does." I say this over and over to you to remind you that although indeed you are a beautiful little girl, that it won't matter much unless you're beautiful on the inside as well.

You and Sylvie Kate are forming the sweetest friendship. You both love to play with dolls, play kitchen, or just giggle and play house with each other while I teach Beau. It's such a sweet sight and reminds me of how thankful I am you have a sister; I always loved having a sister to play with when I was growing up.

You and Beau have had a tough year. I know you're going to be so thankful for a big brother as you grow; but you both went through some growing pains this year and that tended to take a toll on each other. While sometimes you may feel upset that Beau picks on you, remember he absolutely loves you; he's the only one he allows to pick on you. ;)

Being three was been a time of discipline more than usual for you. You tested boundaries more than we were used to from you, but have grown so much more from adhearing to those boundaries. You show us you have a stubborn streak in you; remember that's to be used to be stubborn for Godly things, not fleshy.

You became a world traveler. We flew to Peru right after you turned three and you did great! You loved the culture, but were a bit overwhlemed at all the attention (the people there were not used to seeing little blondes running around). You were friendly, kind, a true joy most of the time. You're ready to go back! We'll have to see.

You're a peacekeeper and encourager. You tell everyone good job! We saw this as you started soccer. What a natural you were; we're already gearing up for soccer in the fall.

Friendships have become important to you. Finding other little girls your age that like to play is something that you value; some friends you have now are Trinity, Avery, Hadley, Makennah, and the neighborhood girls. You're a good friend, although you get very sad when another friend doesn't want to play with you. Disappointment will come, but take it in stride and refuse to accept the rejection inwardly.

Cora, I love you so very much and love being your mama. I find such joy in being your mama. When others ask me how to describe you, I often say, "She's such a good kid. Compliant, generous, encouraging, peaceful; that's our Cora Fair." You are all that, and much more.

Happy birthday beautiful girl, I love you so much.

Love,
Mama