Dear Avery (or Vivi as your brother calls you),
Today is your 3rd birthday. Where has the time gone? You are no longer a baby and barely a toddler. You are a full-grown 3-year-old child. And I love you more and more each day.
For your birthday you got a red balance bike from Nana Pat & Poppy, a sand table and hello kitty bathrobe from Nana & Papa, 5 new movies from Grammie & Zayde, and a dollhouse and soccer ball from me & Daddy. Of course you loved everything. When I asked which was your favorite your answer was "all". This morning we went to an indoor play place and bounced, climbed and slid all morning long. Daddy and I had just as much fun as you and your brother.
You are bouncing down the stairs in your new robe right now with your hair dripping wet, fresh from your tub asking both to be fed and to sit on my lap. Must finish later...
Ok, I bought myself a little more time while I make your requested birthday dinner (hot dogs & pasta with butter) by putting on your requested show (Calliou) and giving you and Tyler your requested snack (frozen waffle -- yes you love them frozen).
Let's see, things you love these days -- Dora, dolls, books, painting, play do, imaginary play, chicken nuggets, cake, ice cream, swinging, running, singing, dancing, going to school, getting your haircut and cuddling in. Things you hate -- getting your hair washed, waiting for anything, tags on your clothes and most vegetables. Oh and sleeping past 5am (yes, you are still up multiple times a night.)
You started school a few weeks ago and you love it. Your teachers are Mrs. Donahue and Mrs. Glaser. You love going and are SO exhausted when you come home. Those are your longest nap days. You love singing your ABC's and recently told Daddy that you want to dance to that song with him at your wedding. He might just hold you to it. You do get J and K mixed up but it's so cute the way you sing it that I haven't really tried to correct you too much. You've gotten really good at counting and can get to about 12 without getting mixed up. I think that's pretty good! You can identify almost all of the letters and sounds and are very interested in what things spell. You also know all of your shapes (even oval and crescent!), your colors, days of the week (in no particular order) and months of the year. Recently you were at a Ms. Madgical show at the gym and another mom said to me "Your daughter knew is was September, wow!!!" I told her it was because your birthday was this month but really it's just because you are so smart!! I am amazed by you every single day.
Daddy and I think you are going to be an athlete. You certainly are built like one. You are so tall and strong and solid. Sometimes we run the track at the gym. You love it but your brother sometimes tries to run the elevator instead so we don't do it too often anymore. But a few weeks ago you ran a whole mile!!!! 15 full laps around that track. I was SO PROUD of you. My 3-year-old track star. Some day you'll get to run in a real race, I promise.
You have filled me with more joy in the last 3 years than I ever could have imagined. I will spend the rest of my life trying to repay you for that. I love you so much my sweet girl. Happy Birthday.
Love,
Mommy
