She...

Is growing up WAY too fast.

Spent several evenings in the pool this summer - but not enough.

Spent the night in the tent - and stayed by herself in the dark for a couple hours all by herself.  Halfway through the night she decided she wanted to sleep by Papa, which meant Papa ending up "sleeping" not on his mat, but directly on the floor.

Got her first set of Legos, and LOVED them.  I think they are definitely her most favorite toy ever.  We spent at least a month playing Legos as soon as we got home each night.

Is so enthusiastic about the garden.  She loves peas and tomatoes; loves carrying produce from the garden to the house in her special basket.

Loves to paint.  She wears her "painting dress" and is pretty darn good at rolling.

Loves hoods.  And she's so darn cute in them.

 Is so full of energy.  On this day I had taken her outside and just said, "Run!" and she did, laughing; so full of joy.

Loves working on "projects".  Is starting to try to write letters - specifically M for Mama and P for Papa.

 

Loves the beach.  I've been panicking the last couple of weeks, thinking about all the things we DIDN'T do this summer.  Once we heard the cold weather was coming I knew we could not waste the last night of "summer" - so we left work a bit early and took her to the beach.  She had such a great time, asking me to help her build sandcastles over and over, and then walking with Papa along the beach, being so much braver about going in the lake and getting wet.  She went in up to her knees, splashed, bounced, walked out and then in again, went under for the first time when she fell - but didn't panic.  And then we went out for ice cream.

Is such a talker.  We love hearing her tell us about her days; and overhearing the conversations she has with her dolls and animals as she plays.  Lately she has been loving to dress everyone up, do her dolls' hair, and make Andrew lunch.  More than once he has received two plates of watermelon and two pieces of cucumber, all carefully laid out, and only brought to him after he's been buckled in and has his bib on.

Loves to sing.  Especially "Bob and Larry" songs.  Almost every morning and almost every night there's a request for Bob and Larry (VeggieTales) in the car.

Is SO wonderful, and I am so thankful for her every day.