Hannah

Four years ago....

Today...

  Hannah,

Happy 4th Birthday, my darling!  We can hardly believe it's been four whole years since you arrived!  Now, I realize it's a little cliche, but you really have changed our lives for the better.  You are the best surprise we have ever, will ever receive.  There is something extraordinarily special about being the first child, about the love parents have for their first born.  You have taught your Daddy and me about the important things in life; love and family.  Being parents is more amazing than we ever anticipated, more amazing than we can really put into words.  But basically, you made us parents, and we thank you for that.

We love you, well... primarily because your ours, and we're quite partial to you.  But there are several very specific reasons we think you're one of the best darn kids on this planet ever... They include, but are not limited to:

1) You love to dance!  You dance without form, without fear or shyness... you just dance with all your heart.  

2) You love to read.  You enjoy books very much.  You let stories spark your imagination and creativity.  Please, don't ever lose your love of reading.

3) You're kind of shy around people.  But the people who know you and love you, well, they know what a total ham you can be!  You have some spunk, kid!  

4) Speaking of spunk... you have your father's sense of humor!   

"Now I know my ABC's, next time won't you sing with... POOP!"  You make us laugh!

5) Again with the spunk... You correct us when we're wrong, illustrating that grown-ups, in fact, don't know everything.  Questioning authority at the tender age of 4.

"Hannah, please go get your coat on."  "It's a trench jacket, Daddy."  

Keep it up!  Just not with us, dear...

6) You want to learn how to do everything, and are always asking, "Why?"  We appreciate your sense of wonder and desire to learn, even when we sometimes answer, "Because I said so."

7) You dress yourself with wild abandon.  Tiaras, wings, rainboots, tutu's... over stripes mixed with plaids or polka dots... I love it.  You have a secure, individual sense of style.

8) You like shoes and purses.  Just like Mommy!!  I see many happy days spending our allowance together in the future...  

9) You love to craft.  Drawing, coloring, painting, murals, telling stories, etc.  You are an artist, my darling.  I look forward to teaching you how to knit and sew, also, with my limited (and somewhat terrible) skills, so we may fulfill your list of handmade desires.  

Anyway, I just wanted to highlight what we find incredibly special about you at this juncture in your life.  There are many, many more reasons that we love you, and are proud to call you our daughter.  Have a wonderful birthday, and a terrific fifth year of your life.  We will do our best to ensure it's filled with love, laughs, health and happiness.  

BIG hugs and kisses,

   Mommy & Daddy