Happy Birthday Natalie!

Natalie turned 4 on Halloween. Oh happy day! She has been counting down the days for six months, I think. Mom, is it October 31st yet? Mom, how many more days until Halloween - that is October 31st - that is my birthday, in case you didn't know.

I think she had a great time, although it's quite possible that nothing could have matched the hype in her head. Still, she had cake, she had a tutu, she had pottery painting (she had no little brother at the pottery place...), she had trick-or-treat in an Ariel costume. Life is good.

So, here is my birthday tribute to my baby girl:

Natalie, I could listen to you all day (and sometimes I don't have a choice about that). I love that you are hysterically funny, and chatty, and animated so much of the time, and then when we are in public you become a mime. I love your passion and your humor and your energy. I love that your opinions are all definite, and that nothing can match your enthusiasm. I love that you are girly and feminine in ways that I never was, and can dance and twirl and do forward rolls around the house just on a whim. I love that you can write your full name already, even though it has 18 letters. I love your drawings and paintings, and how your personality shines through your art. I love your big heart, and the fact that you still, every time, will tell me that you love your little brother even though he drives you crazy. I think you will be able to do great things in life, and I can't wait to see what you will do next. I love you, baby girl!