Another Year of Jaden

On the day you turned three...

You were a lover of girly dresses and play jewelry, kitty cats, Playdoh, Elmo and Abby, and reading.

Your favorite books were The Napping House, The Lady With the Alligator Purse, all of Eric Carle's bear books, and The Green Sheep. You could "read" these books from memory (with voices), and were learning to track your finger along the print, although you didn't know what that meant. You liked to share the reading with Daddy, who made you laugh with his embellishments of The Green Sheep and Pajama Time.

You sang along to Mama Mia and Hairspray, complete with makeshift microphones and a little bootie action. We couldn't reign you in. You loved to sing and dance, preferably dressed in your finest princess or fairy clothes, and bedecked in jewels.

You looked forward to having your hair brushed, and while I liked to style it with curls falling down your back, you more often than not insisted on two pigtails...all the better to admire yourself in the mirror.

You were a nice big sister. You were really learning to be patient with your Honey. At school you liked to sit beside your little sis, looking out for her and telling every passerby that she's your "Honey." When sitting at the table, you'd watch over her, telling her "Eat, Honey!"

When you were grouchy and having a bad day, you couldn't stand being cooped in your carseat. You liked to try Daddy's patience by kicking his seat from behind and shrieking incredibly high pitched screams.

You loved bubble baths as much as your mommy, and you would play tea party endlessly in the water, serving up tiny cupfuls of imagination.

You were friendly and sweet to everyone. You were thrilled to see your family walk through the door. You were never mean to kids, although you'd cry like the world was coming to an end if Catie or anyone swiped your toys. You spent a lot of time with Kharli. You were always so happy to see her, and you called her your best friend.

You were so incredibly smart...you just blew us away with the things you knew and how quickly you learned. You could count to 20(with correspondence!), knew your letters, and could recite about 20 songs, fingerplays, and nursery rhymes.

Most nights you went to bed so easily. You liked to have a tissue in your hand and water nearby, but were fickle when it came to which animals or blankets could share your bed. All we had to do was read a few stories, tuck you in and say good-night. As we closed to door, you'd call out softly, "I love you... I see you later... night-night... I see you in the morning... good-bye..."

My Jaden, every day I know you, I love you even more. I never forget how lucky I am to be your mommy.
Happy Birthday, my precious girl!