Four Years Old…

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My dearest oh-so-big Esmé,

Is it at all possible you are four already?  I looked back at your one-year birthday letter and realize that you are very much the same, and yet so very much more grown up!

Happy Girl.  It amazes me how quickly you bounce to happiness regardless of the circumstances.  I’ve come to learn that when you cry, it is usually a play to control the situation, not because you are truly sad.  Sometimes I get frustrated trying to get you to take my discipline seriously, but you remain little Miss happy chatterbox, oblivious to my corrections.  You are very blessed, it seems, with the ability to see the positive and expect the best.

Friendly Girl.  You continue to be generous with hugs.  You’re full of empathy for the hurting.  You’re happy playing in your own realm – not one to follow the crowd – but you’re thrilled when others join you in your realm.  And you have no problem going up to strangers and chatting about how much you like their shoes, or their dress, or whatever grabs your fancy.  You’ve got a competitive streak and a need for control that pop out once in a while, but you’re quick to resume friendships if there are breakages.

Inquisitive Girl.  You love learning all about your world.  I so enjoy teaching you, reading to you, watching your mind grow and develop as you put fact together in unique ways to come to your own conclusions.  The best (though sometimes frustrating) part is you’re not learning for anyone else – to make others (or me) happy – but for your own understanding and enjoyment.  You’re learning exponentially, and sometimes I scramble to keep up, let alone stay a step ahead…

Confident Girl.  You’re not so brave with the stunts as you were at 1, which calms my heart a little.  Though you did recently climb super high on the rope tower at the park – quite impressive!  And you are incredibly confident in your knowledge and your opinion of the world.  You’ll argue vehemently and wholeheartedly on any topic, though you’re happy to argue just as wholeheartedly on the opposite side if you’ve been convinced to change your mind.

Beautiful Girl.  Those long eyelashes and radiant smile continue to charm me.

Happy birthday, sweet Esmé. May you continue to increase in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Love always,

Mom
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Birthday letter # 2
Birthday letter # 3

Dear Heart

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My dearest beautiful three-year-old princess, baby pony, pretty kitty, baby unicorn, scary shark, or whatever role you're playing today,

Or rather, my dear heart...

...because that is what you are.  You are not just in my heart, as the book says.  You are my heart.  And I must say, it gets more and more painful the further you walk away from me.  This organ that's "supposed" to stay a part of my body - severing itself more and more.

You are growing up, and that's good.  But I hold on, wanting to protect my heart, knowing if anything bad happens to it, to you, I'll be feeling it even more.

You call me "Mom," and check for my reaction. Satisfied, you repeat it, allocating me to a new role in your life.  No longer "Mom-me," it's now "mom AND me."

At birthday times past, I've written down your milestones, where you are at, what you've accomplished, who you seem to be.

I think the key word to describe you this birthday is "independent."  Yes, I know your independent spirit showed early on with clothing and food choices, etc., and that it will only increase as the years go by, but right now it seems very pronounced to me.  A year ago you were still nursing, still in diapers, still needing an interpreter.    No more.

You're developing your own logic, your own reasons for doing things your way.  You tell Daddy "But I want to argue with you" when he gives you direction.  We can critique your clothing choices to no end, and it doesn't faze you in the least.  You love being with people, but do your own thing, rarely following the crowd.  You don't do things just to please people, though you are empathetic and quick to hug when you see someone is sad or hurt.

You are learning ever so much, faster and faster.  I've stopped trying to rank your academic progress, because it gives me goosebumps.  I know you'll absorb as much information as I give you (on YOUR terms), and the responsibility scares me, though I remind myself that my job is simply to give you the tools, to create a desire in you to learn more and more.  You're on the verge of reading and writing.  And funny that the second word you've voluntarily read and written on your own (the first being your name) is "No."  An emphatic "No."

It seems each day there is less and less that I do for you.  You even insist on saying your own prayers, and how I love hearing you talk to God on your own.  But know that I'll never stop praying for you.  Never.

No matter how independent you become, little heart of mine, God is always watching out for you.  And you will always be tied to me through His love...

Love,

Your Mom
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Interestingly, I got to spend part of Esmé's third birthday in the same hospital room she was born in.  Talk about sweet memories!  Her little second cousin is exactly three years (minus two minutes) younger than her.

Two and a HALF

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Dear Esmé,

I've been meaning to write this little developmental analysis for a while - like back on October 3rd when you turned 2 and a HALF. But time has a way of creeping up and past on us, it seems.

You are growing beautifully. Thirty months old, thirty pounds, and 3 feet tall. Exactly right. You got your mama's fine hair with two cowlicks in the back that'll be your bane someday. And you've got perfectly spaced teeth - in well ahead of schedule - and the most beautiful eyelashes framing those baby blues. You're perfect!

You are all girl. You may get confused sometimes about that, but everything about you screams GIRL - from your love of pink to your love of baby dolls and ballerinas and makeup and all things princess. You run just like a girl too, they say. Though I think your push ups more than make up for it.

You are all empathy. The way you just naturally hug anyone who is sad is beautiful to watch. You quickly tune in to the feelings of those around you.

You are all TWO. You want things your way, and you want them now. You question everything and you know everything.

You're friendly. You do your own thing, but are usually surrounded by other kids when we're in a social setting.

You are bright! I asked you tonight if you could write your name. Without any prompting or visual aid, you wrote an E (with five lines instead of three, but who's counting?). And you wrote an S. And you wrote an M. Only the first two lines coming down for the M were too close in your opinion, so you scribbled it all out and moved on to something else. WOW! You can trace letters are are starting to write more and more of them freehand.

And as we sat in the Taco Bell drive through today, you spelled out Taco Bell from the sign. I asked what it said, and sure enough, you knew! You know all your letters, and you're starting to spell words out and sound them out, too.

You know your numbers - all the single digits. You can count to 20 and are starting to figure out how the numbering works after that. Though we got stuck at 19 and a HALF for a while due to all the practice of counting the blocks around the sand pit this summer - 19 and a half.

Colors and shapes? You had that down pat months ago. We're going to have to pull out the 64-pack of Crayolas and the geometry book next.

You form words like a two-year-old - not always clearly - but you've got great sentence structure and vocabulary. You've got a pretty good attention span for reading. You burst out song regularly - and quite a repertoire at that. You're learning more and reasoning more and debating more every day.

You can hop and skip and jump and walk backwards and balance on a beam. You do splits and somersaults and are starting to figure out those complicated jumping jacks. And you love to dance and twirl and lift your legs high like a ballerina.

You love to help Mommy wash dishes and help Daddy hammer in his shop. You're learning to fold things and dust things and cook and sweep and mop and spray and wipe. You insist on picking out your own clothes and grudgingly accept help getting dressed "by yourself." You keep practicing big-girl things like tying laces and zipping up jackets.

When I look at you, I see a bundle of potential and possibility. Yet I'm reminded of Stacia Tauscher's quote: "We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."

You're challenging and delightful, demanding and sweet, insistent and good-natured. You are everything you should be. And I'm proud, and privileged, and contented, to be your Mommy.

Keep growing, my 2-and-a-half-year-old. Increase in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Love,
Your Mommy

Of Butterflies and Such

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My dearest brand-new two-year-old,

Spring - two years ago. I hadn't really thought about the date other than how wonderful it was to be pregnant during the cold months rather than the hot ones.

Now I see how perfect the date is. Spring is the season of new life. Baby lambs romping through the fields. Trees blossoming. Daffodils bursting through. And butterflies spreading brand new wings.

The first year was a blur of changes for us. Moving from Oregon to Mozambique and starting new jobs in the first two months. And getting you properly trained as an African mama by the end of your first year.

If anything, time has gone even faster this last year. And you've grown beautifully.

You are joyful. Your smile and your exuberance make everyone around you smile. Kids are drawn to you; adults love watching you.

You are intense. You stay focused on the action. Sometimes you just watch and observe what is going on around you. You're not an actress; it's hard to get a pose out of you for the camera because you are so engaged in what you are doing or what is happening around you.

You are flexible. It takes about two minutes in a new setting for you to act right at home. Though it may take you a little longer to fall asleep due to all the excitement. You're a great traveler and not too perturbed at changes in scenery and toys and things. And this attribute is oh so helpful at this point in our lives!

You've become more cautious this past year. You're careful going up and down things; not so eager to jump in the pool or off the bed.

You've become more independent, too. "Esmé do it!" is the oft-heard refrain. And you ARE doing it, better and better all the time.

And you know all about possession. "My dolly!" "Esmé's chair!" Or sometimes it's Pappa's plate, or Mommy's shirt.

You are stubborn, too. Or perhaps determined. You can hold an argument with the best of them. You and Pappa were just debating about M and W shapes last night, and there was no way you were going to back down.

Perhaps one of your most challenging attributes right now is your impatience. You know what you want, when you want it, and you want it RIGHT NOW! I talk about going to the airport to see airplanes sometime this week, and you're headed for the door immediately. I go to the kitchen to start making lunch, and you're suddenly there on my toes, demanding to be fed right away.

My bright, growing little girl, I know God has a special purpose for you. His work isn't always immediate, though. Usually it takes time. Usually you have to wait a little while. Sometimes the waiting is painful. And the results aren't always what you expect.

This season of birthdays, this season of spring, I want you to remember this: "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly." (Richard Bach)
You are a challenge, and you are a joy. It is such a privilege to watch you grow and flutter those wings a little more every day. May you always keep looking to the future with anticipation for what the Master has in store for you.
Love,
Your mommy

Friday Baking

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On Friday I helped Mommy bake for our get-together that night. She had about 15 recipes she planned to bake (OCD showing up), but fortunately we ran out of time, so we only did five, which was more than enough for the 23 people here.

Here is a bread platter with butternut bread, banana bread, and lemon bread (thanks, Tracy, for the lemon bread link!). Of course the gas on our stove ran out during the banana bread baking, so when we checked it at the end of the hour, the bread was cold and gooey. The joys of a gas oven . . . At least we weren't in a time crunch or anything.
And the guava cake, with chocolate custard on top. (By the way, this never got put out, so now Mommy and I get to eat it ALL.)

This was the begged-for recipe of the evening, though: butternut rolls. (Can you guess? Butternut squash has been cheap at less than $3 for a huge bag, so we've got two bags we're trying to get through. Mommy tries to sneak it into everything, including my spaghetti and pancakes.)
So here is the link to the butternut bread recipe we used for the rolls. Our secrets? We halved the recipe and simply stuck all the ingredients (liquids first) in the bread machine on the dough cycle. Except Mommy forgot to halve the margarine. When the dough was ready, she kept cutting in half until she had 32 pieces that she formed into rolls and put on an extra large pizza pan. She let rise 1/2 hour, and then baked for 1/2 hour. The results? Soft melt-in-your mouth texture and brilliant color.
Enough about food. Here is a photo of birthday Daddy (at back) and an entourage. (We're having trouble with the exposure settings on the camera, so almost all our photos are blurry . . .)
And here's my friend B doing karaoke on a nose bulb. (It was well-cleaned, never fear.)
And here I am playing basketball with friends B and K.

Party Time Again!

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Yesterday was Mr. Marlon's birthday party. I guess it is "Uncle" Marlon now - since he is getting so old. He works for Maranatha like Mommy & Daddy do. We had a barbecue for him.

So here I am giving the birthday uncle a hug.

And what's a party without friends? Here I am with my friend K.

And here's my friend A.

Grandpa

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Happy birthday, Grandpa! Mommy says you are now as old as Grandma! And she says you and Grandma might come visit us next month! I can't wait!

Sea Anemones and Birthdays

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Just wanted to get a quick post out before we head out to a waterfall near Namaacha to play hooky for the day.

First of all, happy birthday, Grandma! Mommy says you are 69 times older than me, but I don’t know my 69 times tables yet (only up to five, you know), so I’m not sure what that is. But I’m very glad you’re my grandma and I hope you have a happy day!
(Mommy’s note: Since Uncle Ed already let the world know which birthday it is, I don’t feel guilty at all.)

Then I wanted to let you know that even though I was on vacation last month, I still did some artwork. Here are a sea anemone and a porcupine I made from florist foam and craft sticks. Can you tell which is which?
Mommy tried to teach me colors as I was making these, but I didn’t really care which colors I was using – it was too much fun just sticking the sticks in and taking them out again! Mommy put the creatures high up where I couldn’t reach, or I would have been remaking them all day.

And in the background is the bottom of a package I decorated for Grandma.

Well, talk to you later. I still got lots to talk about regarding the US trip – going bowling and visiting cousins and flying . . .

Grandma & Grandpa

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When I woke up at my Grandpa & Grandma’s, there were lots of toys – big blocks and stuffed animals and cars and dolls to play with. It was wonderful!

My inside clock was all mixed up – I wanted to sleep in the afternoon, and then I was wide awake around midnight. But I still had lots of fun, and Grandma & Grandpa even joined me in my midnight play sessions sometimes.

I celebrated my birthday again! I got a baby doll and a ring set and an animal book! Mommy got a doll that I can look at, too.
There was lots of yummy food to eat. I decided I liked broccoli for the first time. I got to eat Cheerios again, too. Here I am eating pancakes with strawberries:

Grandma let me help clean in the kitchen:
We went shopping with Grandpa, and I got a winter coat. I really liked SOS – there were lots of toys and other kids to play with! (Mommy here: There really wasn’t anything sinister about the doll in the microwave, honest!)
Grandma sang lots of songs for me. Grandpa helped me walk around the garden/yard. I liked to laugh with them. I picked a bouquet of flowers for Mommy as an early Mother’s Day present.
I went to Sabbath School and sang songs about creation.
We went to the beach. There was so much to look at. I really like looking at little things! Daddy played with the settings on our new camera and got some interesting photos.
There was a big ferry boat in the bath tub when I took my bath.

Then on Sunday we had to say goodbye to them. I wanted to stay longer and play with the dolls some more. I miss Grandma & Grandpa.

Party Time!

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Here it is as promised - the exciting story of my very first birthday party, right here in Mozambique. It started out with the delivery of 35 live chickens for a BBQ here at Daddy's shop in Machava.


I am going to break all blogging rules and post LOTS of photos, though we've made them small so hopefully they will load okay on your computer. I left out the chicken guts ones in case I have any sensitive viewers . . .


Guests
Including Ouma and Oupa and my cousins and the expat Maranatha team, all the Maranatha shop workers were there, so there were about 80 people total. Here I am making the rounds.


Here I am visiting with Jorge (the shop supervisor) and some of the other shop workers.




I am with Ms. Cathrine, talking on her phone. I like to play with her.

This is Uncle David.


And my cousin Marquelle.


And my Auntie Susan.


Food
There was lots of food, from BBQ chicken to veggie crumbed schnitzels, mixed vegetables, a rice dish, mealie pap, fresh bread, cabbage salad, and sodas. And there was lots of peach cake - Mommy baked for two days straight - with custard for dessert, but I didn't get to try any of that.


I decided to help the cooks dish out the food.


I ate some of the veggie crumbed schnitzels.


Here are some of the workers eating.


This is me with Daddy getting into my cupcake and candle. I couldn't blow out the candle because it was too windy to light it.


Entertainment
For entertainment, we brought out my skateboard. Some of the guys decided to try it out. Some of them did okay.


Some of them didn't do so well.


Then I got on and whizzed by everybody. I am a pro, you know.


I am starting down the ramp in front of the shop.



Going faster. And faster. And faster. This is starting to get scary!


I didn't fall though. Daddy got me at the bottom. I did it three times. I am good!


Then I did my stand-up routine for everybody.


Then everyone else got to play tug-o-war. I wanted to play, but Daddy thought I might get stepped on so moved me out of the way . . .



By this time I was really tired, so we went home.

Birthday Cake
After I had a long nap, my cousins came over for supper. Here I am getting ready to blow out my candle on my carrot cake. There was no wind to help me this time, though, so Daddy helped out.


I DID get to eat some of the carrot cake. It had raisins, too, so it was VERY healthy . . .


Here are my cousins and me behind the cake. Don't I look much older than before?


Presents
Mommy says birthdays aren't about getting presents, but presents sure are a lot of fun. After supper, I opened my presents. I wanted to play with each one and had to be coaxed to open the next one. Stacker cups are cool!


Here I am showing my cousin Janelle my garden counting book. This came from several people - Auntie Barbara gave Mommy the material, Mommy cut and basted it together, and Ouma sewed it up.


This is a pretty doll blanket Marquelle knit for my doll.



There's got to be some way to put this swimming suit on! I tried over the head and over the feet, and it doesn't seem to work any way I try!


And this pretty dress just doesn't seem to fit right. Maybe I need to lose some weight or get my head tucked.

Now shoes I can handle, though.

Videos

Wow, what a fun day I had! Mommy took lots of video, so she will have to get some software to edit it one of these days and make a cool memory video for me. In the meantime, we are posting two videos for good measure.

The first is of the shop guys singing Happy Birthday to me. The second is of me skateboarding down the shop ramp.