my little lillybug is 4

I know everyone says it and it's so cliche, but I really can't believe that I have a four-year old. It just doesn't feel like she should be that old yet. I couldn't ask for a sweeter, more precious little girl. She is seeming so grown up lately and has such a prissy little personality.

What she's doing now that I love:

Loves writing her letters and her whole name, which she usually writes "Lilly Carmlan."

Always colors and makes pictures for us. Sometimes I'll even find her in the den early in the morning before anyone is awake, just coloring by herself.

Sings and dances ALL the time, usually standing on a "stage" with very dramatic movements and gestures. Her favorite song to sing is "Part of your world" from the Little Mermaid.

Changes clothes at least five or six times a day. She usually plans the entire time we're out somewhere about what she's going to wear when she gets home. We'll be pulling into Target parking lot, and this is what I hear, "Mommy, when we get home can I put on my button skirt and my pink t-shirt with the writing on it?" She has usually stripped down to her underwear by the time I have unloaded my stuff from the car.

We have hundreds of books from when I taught, but Lilly has one children's Bible that she is obsessed with and we read EVERY night. I even got her a new one for Christmas because I am so exhausted from the other one, but no luck. Could be worse, I know :)

When I am cleaning or doing things at home, she calls me like she needs something and when I go see what she wants, she just says, "I love you."

Draws pictures and gathers up toys all the time and wants to mail them to kids who don't have any toys.

Still says "fings" and "anyfing" instead of "things" and "anything."

Is a great big sister and loves helping Mamie (most of the time).

Has picked up on me using the phrase "blah blah blah" and "so..." when I am talking to other adults and now she uses them when she is talking. Example of what she says, "So, me and Cal were playing cars, blah blah blah, and so." and then usually does a little laugh, shakes her head, and rolls her eyes at the end of her sentence. Very teenagery and scary.

Loves going to school so much she screams and squeals when she knows she gets to go the next day.

Loves to cuddle in the mornings with a cup of OJ and watch cartoons.

Is known to pitch a BIG fit about what clothes mommy wants her to wear.

We love you so much Lilly! Life sure would be boring without you!

At her "party" at school. Lilly helped me make princess cupcakes for her class.

Sharing her "Me" bag that they get to fill up and take on their birthday in Mrs. Sandra's class.

Opening presents at home.

Cruising in their new car in below-freezing weather. Tuesday was not the best day for that gift.


This year, we decided to save money and not have a big birthday party. Lilly got to have her party at school and then we took her to Chuck-E-Cheese Tuesday night to celebrate. I never want to go on the weekend again. It was wonderful--there was no one there.

My friend Elisabeth made her a fabulous Ariel cake

Lilly and I competing in a serious waverunner competition

I think I could develop a serious skee-ball addiction. I could have played it all night long. It brought back memories of my roller-skating days.