Dear Sophie/Sophia/Sofa/Popins/Bootsy
It's amazing what a difference two tiny tubes makes. You started your fourth year still with hearing problems, and we finally got you a new set of tubes (and had your adenoids removed) in February. Since then, your language has just exploded and we finally feel like we're getting to know you. No longer do we have to repeat back what you've said to us to make sure that we understood what you're saying, and finally all of these thoughts and opinions you've been carrying around are coming out.
You're a smart cookie with a wicked sense of humor - the number of times that you'll come and wake me up with a tickle on my feet (which I hate) is hilarious, and you find so much in this life funny. Granny and Grandpa sent you an e-card with cartoon dogs doing magic tricks, and you gave your traditional belly laugh. It's hard not to smile when we're hanging out as you just live in the moment, having a great time. You can recognize your name in print, and have about 4 of the letters ready to write. However, it's your drawing that entrances us as figures with recognizable limbs and faces are emerging from the scribbles - we'll keep some of your early pictures of Mommy, Daddy and Tiger for reference! You've got great concentration skills for both drawing and playing, and you're as happy to play by yourself as you are to goof around with us.
You're a friendly kid (you've been known to go around the grocery store saying "Hi, I'm Sophie!"), no more so that when you're hanging out with your brother, who is the light of your life. The two of you have a great time together, and now that you've got more words, you can solve problems and play more in depth games with him. You've also gathered some friends from daycare and Jake's baseball game, and with more words comes the ability to have play dates with your friends.
You're a sweet kid, always looking out for other people's feelings, even when they're just playing with each other. You're not afraid to taunt Mommy by choosing Daddy for a smooch or for bath time, but you always find ways to make it up to the other person. You also make it fair when we're playing, and you truly take on board what we say about no means no, and listen to your body. This sweetness means that you're also a great helper, whether it's helping me make pizza (aka eating the pepperoni and tasting the sauce and cheese!), baking with Nana or bumbling around in the garden. "I help" is one of your main phrases, and it's lovely to have you by my side on these projects. Long may that continue!
This next year will be another big change. Miss Gina's is closed, so after a long glorious summer, you're starting your final year of pre-school at All Aboard. Given your improved speech and social skills, we're going to start you there in August with no move up days - I'm excited for you to be there, even it means losing some of the good friends you made at Miss Gina's. This long summer also gives you a chance to get to know Leo, our new pup (!). You've already started to bond with him, and listening to you trying to train him is delightfully charming. You'll come with me to puppy training classes, and I can't wait for some simple Daddy/Sophie time.
You're banging around upstairs (nap time is for lame o's, according to you!) so I'm going to go find you so we can pump up your boat and go out on the lake - ah the joys of a summer birthday.
Love you, smoochy face
Daddy
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