four

Today was a perfect day.

I can't help feeling a little sad. You see,

my baby turned four years old today.

Four!

Four seems so much bigger than three.

Four means school is almost here.

Four is big and independent and strong.

Four leaves babyhood behind forever.

I cannot seem to believe that she is really four!

We truly had a perfect day. Katelee woke up to find her room filled with shiny, pastel balloons and a house strewn with streamers. She woke up happy. She had her favorite breakfast in the whole world (cereal) and watched the Disney channel. Later, Grandma and Grandpa Thurston took Katelee to Toys 'R' Us to let her pick out a birthday gift. Isn't that any kid's dream come true? The shopping trip was followed by chicken nuggets at McDonald's and lots of fun playing in the play place. After lunch, we had a few neighbor kids join us for a piece of Katelee's chocolate castle birthday cake and some play time, including bike riding out in the glorious sunshiny afternoon. Bike riding quickly transformed into story time and a long nap for Katelee while I taught piano lessons. After naps and piano lessons, we all sat down to enjoy Katelee's birthday dinner of choice: "chicken and tomatoes." Katelee eats tomatoes like candy, and she also loves chicken and rice. (Funny story: Grandpa offered several times to take us out to Chuckie Cheese for her birthday dinner, but Katelee preferred to stay home and eat chicken and tomatoes and play with her toys.) After dinner, we opened presents, played with the new toys, ate chocolate cake and ice cream, and relaxed. What a wonderful day; I wouldn't have changed a thing. Katelee went to bed a happy, happy girl who is very proud to be four.

(I'll post pics tomorrow - I promise!)