A Decade of Daphne

 Dear Princess and The Pea, Belle, Belladonna, Bean, Belle-Belle, 

Our world has been blessed to have had you in it for an entire decade! If you thought the stars and the sea celebrated the day you were born, you should have seen the way dolphins dove and polar bears plunged at the news of your 10th birthday! You have made the world more magical, and even the trees thank you for your loveliness. 

The year you turned 10 years old also happens to be the Year of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In April, you and all the other students in the country were sent home from school. For months, you learned by yourself at home or at Grandma Lil's house. To be honest, so much has changed since the pandemic began, that it's hard to remember what our life was like beforehand! But, I'll do my best to highlight what I can.

Last year, you were in fourth grade and started the year with a new friend named Mira. She ended up leaving New Horizon, and that was a really big loss for you. Often you would come home from school and tell me how it was hard for you there now that Mira was gone. Fourth grade was not your favorite year. But, you always have been able to find something joyful even through the challenging days. You are very smart, and your humor is so quick and sharp. You actually really enjoy your own company. 

You spent a lot of time reading this past year. You started the Harry Potter series at Christmas time, and now you're on Book 6, I think. You *DO NOT* like the films, because you say they make you "cringe." You also feel it was poorly cast: Harry is supposed to have bushy, black hair and Hermione is too pretty in the movie.

For Halloween last year, you were dressed as a marionette. Aunt Jenny did your makeup, and you looked awesome. The cousins came over and Trick or Treated with us. It was a beautiful night, no coats required. This year, we haven't heard whether we will get to Trick or Treat or not, yet. 

Nana Sue came and stayed with us for two weeks at Christmas and New Year's. She was there on Christmas morning when we opened all the presents she brought us, and we celebrated with the usual egg, bacon, and cheese croissant casserole you love. 

Your tastes changed a lot this year. You matured in some ways and just changed in others. You love the color black. You love anime (especially "My Hero Academia"). You are on Pinterest or YouTube A LOT. Dad gave you his old phone, and I'm pretty sure that was a mistake. You are as hooked as any kiddo your age might be! You do something that you call "App Testing," which includes downloading new apps and playing them so you can personally rate them. You LOVE music. Lately, you've been listening to EDM (you like Skrillex) and The Living Tombstone. If I asked you if you wanted to go outside or stay inside, you would always pick inside. If I asked you what you wanted to eat, you would normally say chicken strips with BBQ sauce and french fries. You like to do crafty and artsy things.

Even though you're growing up, you still love to sleep in our bed with me and Dad. You love to play "car" by sitting on my knees and steering with my arms. You gave away a lot of your Barbies, but you couldn't part with the Dream House. You'd like to redecorate your room, but you're very nostalgic for your things and for the way things used to be. You could never part with your stuffed animals (especially Zoomie, Lamby, Eeyore, and Foxy). 

Besides the pandemic, there's been some other crappy stuff this year. Dad and Dee Dee really struggled with their marriage this year, and you were definitely impacted deeply by this. You haven't seen Dee Dee or Rylan or Brenden since April, and it's not right how things have played out for you. I'm sorry, Daphne, and I wish I could make the world a place of sunshine and rainbows, but I can't. 

Instead, what I hope to do is to inspire you to be strong and keep laughing. You have already overcome so many things. You recently started going to the Central Middle School for 5th grade. You all have to get your temperature screened every day before you start, and you wear a mask except for P.E. Whenever I ask, "How was school,?" you answer, "Meh." But, you did meet a girl you like, Sophia, and a boy who is your friend named Zeb. It's still early in the year, but you've already had to go home for a week, because someone at school had the virus. 

You dyed your hair for your birthday this year, which was crazy and awesome. It took four hours to get your dark hair bleached and blue. We all love it, even Grandma Lil and Grandpa Eric and my Grandma Joan. 

I'm so proud of you and how much effort you put in when you want to. You are capable of doing anything in this world, and I can't wait to see each day, how much more you grow. I love you so, Daphne. 

Do you know how much? 

Mom

Novel nine

Dear Daphne (Bean, Princess and the Pea, Belle, Baby Belle, Baby Bean),

You've grown up this time.

I wasn't expecting this yearling with cascades of dark hair framing the blackest lashes almond eyes. I still see our toddler imp climbing on the couch to turn off light switches, but here you are listening to favorite bands, making Tik Tok's, and messaging friends on your iPad.

Last year was hard. You told me it wasn't, that you didn't mind playing by yourself at recess, that you liked your own company the most anyway. You didn't lose your spark; you still sang under your breath constantly and bounced around with joy despite the blows, but you asked to switch schools at the end of the year. I thought about it and prayed with you about it a lot. When I decided to try one more year, you weren't happy; you had gotten so excited about meeting new friends and starting fresh at the Junior High. I was worried (are you surprised?), and I prayed over all those girls to be like Jesus, even though I know girls aren't anything like Jesus when we're nine.

But, something unexpected and wonderful happened: there were new kids in your class ... and they are awesome! Finally, you've encountered free thinkers, wild thorns in the carefully manicured roses of this school to which I limited you. One girl told you of her romantic feelings for another girl, her fears after saying the word 'gay,' and the teacher who called her 'inappropriate,' and when you related the story to me, you said, "I told her to be herself and not worry about what other people think." Mountain top moment, my daughter, with whom I am well pleased. Your own sparkle is brighter with these new friends shining next to you, and I am so relieved God worked things this way.

While other girls play basketball or tumble or spend weekends pitching softball, you found theater and your first role last year in Sleeping Beauty. This year, you've got an even bigger part in Pinocchio (Sofia!), and you're excited for cheer leading to start, too. For school picture day, you dressed in black and white with a bright pink belt, and you said it defined you, this unexpected contrast. You are my pop of color every day, so I think you are right.

Daddy Paddy (Father Brain) finished school this year, and Nana and Papa came to visit for his graduation. I let you take off school to spend time with them. It was a beautiful spring week, and we all spent it on our back porch together. Now Dad is a nurse, and you joke a lot about that "nurse money," how he's going to spoil us with a trip to Disney (we hope!). You are so much like him with your dry humor and quick wit; the two of you make me laugh forever.

Dad and DD have taken you to Rylan and Brenden's football games already this year, even though you need to be bribed with concession stand money. Dad has to work a lot right now, and I know you miss him. He is doing it to be a better dad for you, and they all love you so much. You don't like the transition days, from one home to the other, but you LOVE having two birthdays and two Christmases.

We went to Maine again this summer, and you were afraid to step foot in the ocean after you and I saw jellyfish washed up on the beach. But, you loved being on the sand, playing restaurant/hotel with me, and even trying your best to boogie board when you weren't afraid of the water. We took you to the arcade twice, and that seemed to be your favorite part of our trip, besides spending time with Nana and Papa. Or maybe the annual candy store trip was your favorite...

Sadness hit our family again this year, as your favorite grandpa died. Grandpa John adored you, and it made everyone else so jealous. He told you he loved you before he died, the last thing he said to you, in fact, and it was one of the only times he ever said this phrase out loud in his entire life. He gave you coins and a book to keep them in, which he wouldn't have done for just anyone. He didn't just like you, he respected you. He loved how you always try to "make a deal" with me, because he saw exactly how smart and witty you are. You came with me a few times to visit him at the nursing home, and it made his days so much better to see you. After I spoke at his funeral, you cried and cried, and I feel heartbroken still to think of it. You and Grandpa John were special friends, and I'm so glad he was here to be in your life.

Oh, Daphne. You are so special to me. I dread the moment when I am your enemy and not your best friend, the teenage pulling away, because right now, we are so close. Just yesterday, we laughed and laughed while we danced and sang together. I still lie down with you every night, listening to meditation together before you drift off. I close my eyes and hold my breath to pray in those moments, because it actually hurts my heart to think of what a blessing you are to me. I peek at your sleeping face and I feel swells of love and pride.

You continue to astonish and delight us, my dearest one. I love you. Happy ninth birthday.
- Mama

"Mom, I can't believe I'm eight!"

Dearest Bean, Belle, Princess and the Pea, Boobalah,

I titled this post with the sentence you kept repeating to me on your birthday and in the days that followed. Yes, this year's letter is late again, and your thoughts are the same every year! I hope someday you look on this day with less trepidation and more joy, but you are your mother's daughter after all.

This year, all you wanted was a surprise party. I tried, Daph, I really tried to surprise you! Liv just wanted to share in the joy when she told you, I'm sure, and you did your best to look surprised anyway. It took a long time making all those giant candy decorations, so even if you weren't surprised, at least you had fun decor.

In this past year, you have continued to wow us all. You're genuinely kind, extremely funny, clever, loving, surprising, and very sharp. We tested your reading competency this past summer and you were at a high school level! We might have Mrs. Smith to thank for that, since in second grade she didn't assign traditional homework but instead required you all to read for 20 minutes each night. You graduated to chapter books shortly after the school year started. You loved "Mr. Limoncello's Library," and right now you're reading, "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate." Another favorite for you are biographies of those who have overcome challenges; you loved Helen Keller, Ruby Bridges, and Rosa Parks, so far.

You and Liv say you are best friends but you and all the girls seem to be pretty close. You were in Girl Scouts this year, with Gracin, Annalyn, and Elizabeth, and you really wanted to do archery. Instead, you sold lots of cookies and won a fanny pack. I went to a Girl Scout tea party with you and we both dressed up, but hardly anyone else did. I thought that was pretty funny, but not as funny as how bad the snacks were! We both agreed, they were yucky, and it was hilarious to tell Dad about later.

At the Christmas pageant this year, your class sang the most inane song about evolution, which caused Dad and I both to freak out and teach you what we could about science (you've even spent some time watching Neil Degrasse Tyson on "Cosmos," which you say you love). Because that was your class theme, apparently, each of you dressed up like an animal for the pageant. No matter how many times I asked you to change your mind to a cute tiger or koala bear, you INSISTED on being a hideous spider. Kids were literally scared of you, even Joshua, who cried until he figured out it was only you.

You're always that way, unique and stubborn about it. You say "normal is boring" and  you are confident in being yourself. You should be, honestly, because you're great. I hope you never lose that strong sense of self and the confidence that comes with being uniquely you.

You like when I braid your hair at night, so that it's crimpy in the morning, but you hate when I braid it for fun or try to curl it. You like to play with makeup, but at the same time, you love to tell me not to wear it and to be myself. This year you say you HATE pink and LOVE black, but I notice you still seem to like some pink things. You would argue hard about that, I'm sure.

You wrote your own stories this year, on my computer, and you even found pictures to illustrate them. As soon as I saw the unicorn, I said, "How majestic!" and you said, "Mom! I literally looked up 'majestic unicorn' and that's what came up!" You still adore me as much as I adore you, and you even like wearing matching dresses, like we did when we went to Maine this June. Your Nana and Papa loved on you, as usual. When you saw Keyshawn this time, you immediately said, "Get down and be my pony!" He didn't, but he did play with you and let you wrestle him.

Your family continued to change this year. I was gone a lot because Grammy was sick and needed help. Good thing you have two great dads and a step-mom who loved to have the extra time with you! DD and Dad and you and Rylan even took a road trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, right after our Maine vacation. All four of you got bit by a jellyfish! You were so lucky in some ways this year, but it was hard in others. You went to your first funeral, DD's mom's, and you went to the second only a few months later when Grammy died. You saw your mom pretty shaken up with grief a few times (maybe a lot of times?) and it worried you. We prayed a lot together for everyone, because we trust that God is the only source for our peace.

I am so proud of you, Daphne Belle Minor. I really am. I love the person who you are becoming. My biggest gift in life is being your mama. This year you bravely pet dogs! Even more brave?? You learned how to swim! You even took the giant water slides at both the Salem and Rec Center pools.  You wouldn't do it in front of me (yet!) but both your dads got to see.

We all think the sun and the moon rise and set on you. Always know you are wonderful. I love you.

Love,
Mama

Daphne is seven!

Dearest Daphne Belle Minor,

The year you turned seven has been a wild ride!

Last year, when you turned six, I realized you are the youngest person in your class (besides Bryden!), by an entire year. I remember the day you came home so frustrated and upset because everyone else (besides Bryden, lol) could tie her shoes except for you. I told you that your fine motor skills were still developing, a whole year behind everyone else, and we practiced on a thick, robe tie, which made it much easier for you to learn the technique. I hope I always remember the look on your face the first time you tied it, the sheer joy when you exclaimed, "I did it! I did it, Mama!"

Mama, I am this year, or just Mom. I haven't been Mommy for a while, and this year when I dropped you off for second grade, you didn't let me kiss your cheek, because, "You'll embarrass me, Mom."

At the beginning of first grade, Mrs. Flexter held you all to a high standard, and because you were still growing and figuring things out, it was hard for you to finish your papers on time. You were frustrated, and you thought she didn't like you. I went to meet with her around December, and she realized how much effort you were putting in. It wasn't long after that, you flourished! In fact, you are far and away the best reader in your class. There isn't a word you cannot either pronounce or sound out. At church on Transfiguration Sunday, Linda Simmons asked you and the other kids what the word was, and you immediately said it flawlessly. I laughed, so proud of my tiny six-year-old saying "transfiguration" with no problem.

You are a tiny one, too, my dear. Every year of your life, you have fit the clothes of your age. As far as I can tell, this is pretty unusual! You are seven now, and you wear size seven! Your shoes are the smallest in your class, still a size 12. This year was the first year I saw you get attached to your things, and it was a pair of shoes, your Frozen shoes, that you loved dearly. You said to me, "Mom, there is something wrong with my shoe, it's gotten smaller here in the toes." But, it was just that your feet grew! So, we went to get you new shoes and you cried because you couldn't wear the old anymore.

Daphne, you are pretty sentimental about things like that. You worry about your stuffed animals when I tuck you in at night, especially Tsumie, a raccoon Dad (Dave) bought you for your sixth birthday. You always make sure his little face is poking out of the covers so he can "breath" while you snuggle.

Snuggling is still a favorite for you, though you much prefer dance parties, playing Barbies, and playing anything pretend. You have an arsenal of Nerf weapons from Dad (Dave) under your bed, and over this past year, you and I partnered up against him for some wars! We had a lot of fun, even if he seems to always beat us!

This past year, you joined an acting class at the Cultural Society with Miss Carrie, who adores you and said you have a natural talent for it. You had a speaking part in the school Christmas pageant, and you practiced over and over again for the big night. You said it beautifully, just a tiny bit shy on the stage in front of the whole crowd. You also joined soccer this year, and your team was almost entirely made up of your class from school. That was pretty fun for you, the hanging out with your friends part, but you told us you really didn't like playing soccer that much. We could tell, because every time the ball came by you, you skipped around until someone else kicked it. You skipped a lot, and talked a lot! One game, there was a boy on the other team who seemed like he was a bully to the other kids. I saw you go right up to him, but you were so far away, I couldn't hear you. I asked you later, and you told me that he was mad at you. He said you kicked him, and I asked you, "What did you say?" You said, "I told him like you tell me. There is pain in soccer!" I laughed so hard. You're so brave!! My grandpa, Grandpa John, came to watch almost all of your games. We were all SO proud of you when you scored a goal in the final second of your final game! Even if you didn't love soccer, you kept trying, and I'm always so impressed at the way you put effort in and improve every day.

This year was a big year for you, because Dad (Jon) met Diana. In May, they got married, and you were the flower girl in a darling blue dress. You told me so many times how happy you were that Dad met her, that she is the nicest ever, and you are even more happy about the step-brothers you gained. Dad tells me you annoy them every chance you get, which I'm sure you absolutely love. You told me that Dad is happy, which makes you happy. We prayed for God to send Dad his wife, and we are so happy that God answered our prayers with DD, which is what you've nicknamed her. She always pays attention to you, does your nails and your makeup, and makes you feel special when you're with her. I couldn't be happier for all of you!

This year was also a hard year, which was kind of the first time you've ever had to experience that. My mom, your Grandma Joan, found out she has cancer. You didn't even know what cancer was. All you knew was that your mom was crying a lot and praying a lot for grandma. I know that it's been hard on you to see me so upset, and I am sorry for that. But, I also know, that this is real life, and I am grateful that you are learning how to cope with hard things. You're pretty tough, kiddo, and your kisses, and snuggles, and prayers have helped me so many times through the hard stuff.

Another hard time this year happened when I had to go away for school again this summer. This time, I missed your seventh birthday and your first day of second grade. We were all pretty bummed about that, but you handled it beautifully. Dad (Jon) and his family took you to the Balloon Fest to celebrate, after you had Wendy's (your favorite!) and a piece of cake which DD made you. You loved coming back to school, too, I heard from my friends, the other moms. AnnaLyn's mom told me that when asked about the best part of summer, you answered, "Coming back to school today and seeing my friends!"

That was probably true for you at the moment, but we also got to go on a most amazing vacation this summer! Nana and Papa brought us to Maine, and we stayed in a gorgeous beach house with Auntie Kris and Keyshawn, too. You slept on the pullout couch with your Nana, and loved every second of it. She spoiled you with all your favorite treats, including Munchkins! You were brave this year, and went into the very cold ocean all the way to your chest. You wanted to play on the beach every single day, and we mostly did! One day, we went to York and got to see the carnival there. You said that was your favorite, because Dad won you a stuffed animal playing a game and you got your face painted with a pink heart.

Everything is still PINK! You still love all things girly, but you tell me you like chasing the boys at recess at school. I guarantee you're a comedian at school, because you're hilarious at home. You are quick witted, kind, thoughtful, curious, imaginative, and getting prettier every day. Everyone keeps telling me how tall you are getting, and now I see it, too. You are nearly up to my chest!

As always, I am completely taken by you. Nothing in my life could have prepared me for how much I love you. I watch you, so brave, so confident, and I am utterly grateful that God gave me you.

Love,
Mama

And Now You're Six!

Hello, my little one.

Two nights ago, I read to you, "On the Night You Were Born," to celebrate the anniversary of the night I labored to bring you here. You cried after it was over, and you said, "That made me so sad. I love it, but what if someone in my class doesn't have this book and they don't know how special they are?!"

You, Daphne, are special. You see how special everyone else is, too.

I held you in my arms that night, and I told you about the night you were born. I told you how I tried so hard to have a natural, normal birth. You cringed when I mentioned the scar on my tummy, and the next day, you told me not to talk about it again. I told you how your Dad Jon got to see you before I did, and he gave you a bath and helped measure you with the nurses. Your Grandma and your Great-Grandma watched through a window and marveled at you. When he finally brought you to me, you were wrapped up like a burrito, a hat on your gorgeous hair. I looked at you and held out my arms eagerly, and you looked back at me, your eyes clearly saying to mine, "Oh, there you are!"

I held you in my arms, and I sang the only songs I have ever known by heart, the songs I have sang to you your whole life. "Silent Night" and "O' Little Town of Bethlehem" soothed you to sleep and I didn't want to leave your bed, so I kissed your peaceful forehead and held you some more.

You woke up, and you were six-years-old!

I gave you a birthday bear from Sister Andrea, who gave it to me months ago in anticipation of your precious day. You loved it, you said how your favorite part was that the bear's mouth moves while it sings and how fuzzy and snuggly it is.

Now that we are in these school years, you turned six and were able to celebrate with a class full of first graders. You brought cookies but not cupcakes because Brighton's birthday is the exact same day, and his mom brought cupcakes instead. When you came home, I gave you some new chapter books for a present and your Great-Grandparents took us out to dinner. You ate pancakes and the waitress gave you a free piece of chocolate cream cake. You could only eat a few bites of the cake, but you were so excited to bring it home for later.

That's pretty typical, my love, you getting excited about chocolate and treats in general. Eating delicious things is one of your favorite things to do. I'm sorry I passed this on to you, because eating vegetables is so much better for us!

This past year, you grew so tall. You hover above my hipbone now. We cut your hair for the first time in July; you were able to donate it to a company that makes wigs for patients who have cancer. You said you love looking like a completely different person, but honestly, I haven't noticed you really caring too much whether it was long or short. You do prefer how little it takes to comb through now, though!

Your sweet spirit continues to grow but your wicked sense of humor is even stronger. Dad Dave loves how you prank people (so do I! you're hilarious!), and he sees how you get some of your humor from him. I see traces of your Dad Jon in it, too. I guess both of your dads and you are funny, what can I say?

You are an exceptional reader, and this summer you got excited about math. You went to the pool and the lake with Dad Jon a lot, but you don't want to learn how to swim. I can see the tan lines from your suit still, but they remind me that you fell in the pool and felt like you were drowning. I encourage you to learn, so you will feel empowered, but you're stubborn like me, and you say no.

We visited Nana and Papa in Massachusetts earlier this year, and you said your favorite part was spending time with Nana. We took you to the Freedom Trail in Boston, where I carried you around like you were little and walked miles with you strapped to me. You're a little spoiled when it comes to things like this; I baby you, because you're my baby.

I had to leave you for two weeks this August, and I was so grateful to be home in time to celebrate this birthday with you. Nearly every time I FaceTimed you, you wept into the phone, and I had to stop calling you. Dad Dave said you were happy and good as long as you didn't see me. I made him FaceTime when you were asleep, so I could see your face every chance I could.

Oh, Daphne. You are so wonderful. I am so proud of the person you are becoming. You are caring. You are graceful. You started acting classes this year, and you said, "I don't like them. I LOVE THEM!" You are smart. You love God and other people. You are sensitive like me.

You had your first sleepover this summer, with Annalyn. I curled your hair and hers and painted your faces with my makeup. We made brownies, which the next day the two of you stole. I found you both in your pink, play tent, a pan full of brownies between you, fists shoving handfuls in your mouths, giggles erupting amidst the crumbs. You would have never stolen a pan of brownies, but she made you brave and it made you laugh.

The best part of your life is when you spend time socializing with other people. I wonder how Mrs. Flexter is going to keep you quiet this year. You thrive around people, often entertaining everyone around you. You twirl and dance and sing every where you go. You hate to sit still. I've never seen you sit still unless you are glued to the Kindle or TV.

Daphne, I love everything about you. I hope you always know. You are the best part of my life and both of your dads'. You are unique and beautiful. I cannot wait to see what's next for you this year.

Love,
Mommy

Happy birthday, Kindergartner Daphne!

Dearest Daphne,

I almost didn't know to whom I was addressing this, since I so often call you something besides your name. Your nicknames include Belle, Bella, Tiny Belle, and Princess and the Pea. Lately, you haven't loved that last one and instead prefer just princess, but I still slip it in sometimes.

I think I am writing to you early this year because I have been so focused on getting everything ready for school. I have a list of things you need and your annual birthday letter is on that list, so here we go!

School! Daphne, you are so much like me. You are both extremely excited and extremely nervous for school this year. Last night, you were feeling down and you cried and cried because, "I have been feeling sad every day for a long time." You don't realize it yet, but you are just nervous about this big transition. You told me you wish you could still go to Cheri's with your friends, and my heart swells with compassion for you. Cheri and the kids there (Jackson, Brooks, and Charli) have been your friends since you were mere weeks old. I know how emotional I have felt about you going to school but I cannot imagine how this change must feel for you. Because you love people and love learning, I know school will be fun for you, but this transition has made you and I very emotional. Tonight we have your open house and you will meet your teacher and see your classroom. Monday is your first day!

You are certainly ready for school, though. Just a few weeks ago, I started reading chapter books to you and you loved them. You can count to 100 (with very little assistance) and your vocabulary continues to blossom. You are extremely creative when it comes to making up your own song lyrics and dancing passionately to music. Both Dad Dave and Dad Jon have told you how awesome you are when you dance and sing. You have them both so enamored. You know it, too. You have a way of getting what you want when you want it from all three of us.

Just last week, you and I visited my parents at their house. We celebrated Lily, Parker and Julian because they have birthdays right around the same time as you. My dad saw you for the first time in a long time, and he told me how smart you are and how cute you are. It's true. You're very intelligent and very pretty, little one. In fact, when we are at the grocery store, at least one person comes up to you each time and tells you how cute you are. You politely say thank you and I always say, "Remember, it's what is on the inside that counts." I've warned you that people won't always come up to you and say this, just because as we get older this happens. But, your value does not lie in how you look but in who you are. I always try to tell you, your kindness and love is what counts. God created you so uniquely and I always pray you will know that you are more than a pretty girl.

You are also a little monkey CLIMBING everywhere. Your bed is going to be destroyed, I just know it. You constantly climb the poles and hang from the canopy while it dangerously sways. You climbed the cabinets just the other day to reach a plate of cookies on top of the fridge. Your love for chocolate and sugar has developed into an unhealthy addiction, honestly. We tell you all the time to eat less red light foods and more green lights, but you are like everyone else: a snack fanatic. You shoved the cookie into your mouth as fast as you could so that no one would take it from you. You do the same thing at church!

This year you became so technologically advanced. You basically took my Kindle as your own to play games on and to watch YouTube videos. You love the videos where people use Play Doh to make things but more than this, you love making things with Play Doh! You would play with it every day. You do not like coloring still, but you love to paint and play Barbies. Instead of Barbies, though, you have lots of Monster High dolls. Toralei is your favorite one - because she is the villain. It's weird... you love villains. You have gotten in trouble for playing so meanly with your dolls. My friend Arica said you just want to be a dynamic and powerful girl, and on TV the villains have this type of personality. That makes sense to me; I don't think you want to be mean, I think you want to be the boss.

You have leadership skills, and I am excited to see how these develop once you start school. You may be nervous, but you are not afraid. You are always so fiercely independent. This year, you participated in your first dance recital! Even though you loved dance some times and hated the discipline of it other times, you definitely enjoyed performing on stage. During the rehearsal, your teachers came and got you and the other girls from me and the other parents. The other girls looked back at their moms, a little nervous to leave without them, but not you. You never looked back. You have ALWAYS been ready for the next adventure. This makes me so proud of you. You are always trying. You are always improving. I truly wish I was more like you in this way.

Pretty soon, I won't be able to lift you up into our "family hug" circle, but today I can and I will. Our family hugs and kisses are my favorite part of the day, so you have to endure all this affection, my dear, what can I say?

As you turn five years old next week, I feel blessed to be your mom, my Daphne.

And now you are FOUR!

Dearest Daphne Belle,

Happy birthday, my love. This year, the year you turned four, you were celebrated almost the entire month rather than just on your birthday! We celebrated you with a Pirate Fairy birthday party the first week of August; you and your friends doused each other with squirt guns and water balloons, ate pizza and cake, and you opened a mountain of presents at our house on Kristy. For some of the party, you sat near the tree and pouted because Jackson targeted you with his squirt gun, and Lily sat by you while you reveled in her attention. You love attention, little one, you love people and their reaction to you, so I guessed that you were just pleased with the one on one time.

We celebrated you early this year, because we traveled to Maine a few days after your birthday, and it was hectic! On the 18th, Dad Dave and I spoiled you with special cupcakes that you picked out at the store with him and you and Dad Jon spent the day together. THEN you were celebrated again in Massachusetts when we had a party at Kristina's house and Nana bought you a pretty chocolate cake with pink icing.

Dad Dave and I are sending you to dance class for your birthday present this year! You started last week, and you absolutely loved it. You weren't afraid for me to leave, and you can't wait to go back.

Daphne, you are always celebrated, because you are so loved.

In the past year, my dear, you have continued to astonish all of us with your brilliance. Your vocabulary is ridiculous. You correctly use words that even some adults aren't familiar with (you told Nana you were dehydrated in Maine!). You constantly ask all of us what words mean, and then you remember and incorporate them into your every day dialogue. It is obvious when you talk to other kids that you are different; I watch your interactions, and I see you so confidently introduce yourself and ask them about themselves. Other kids are not as mature as you (you who spend so much time with all of us adults), and they stare at you. You try so hard to engage them, and one day you will, but for now, you are just older than your years.

That is not to say you are some super human four year old! You are still very much a four year old girl, Daphne. You think poop jokes are hysterical and you adore your stuffed animals. Your sweet spirit is obvious; I tried to downsize those animals and you brokenheartedly cried that you would miss them too much. You love the Disney princesses, Sophia the First, Doc McStuffins, books, crafts, and you especially love when I pretend to be your stuffed animals and talk to you in silly voices. It's your favorite, really, and it's adorable. You still love pink the most. You wanted to be Elsa from Frozen for Halloween, but changed your mind when you saw Maleficent. I exercised my mom authority, however, and I am hoping you will wear the pink bunny costume I bought instead!

This year, you conquered potty training, despite a stubborn start, and you haven't looked back. This year, you were kind of scared of the ocean after she knocked you down with her strong waves. During the week we were there, you conquered your fear and joyfully played in the waves, even trying to boogie board. This year, you had a scary eye doctor appointment, and you triumphed! We were all scared for you, that you might have to have surgery. The specialist put stinging drops in your eyes and even though you HATED it, you endured so stoically. We had to put cream on your eye lids for three weeks afterwards, and Daphne, I hope I never forget how you composed yourself, put your fear aside, and bravely let us pull the bottom lid down for the medicine. You amazed me with your courage and your perseverance. Because you did so well, you haven't had any problems since.

You wanted to start school this year, but I decided to wait so you could just hang out with your friends at Cheri's one more year. Sister Michael, my friend from work, watched you one night as you talked to her about letters, numbers, colors, and shapes, and she said that you could start Kindergarten tomorrow. She taught for 42 years, so we were all really happy that you proved to be just as smart as we thought.

You can be pretty sassy, though, my dear one... Lately, you have been testing the limits and branching out where ever you can. You ALWAYS want things done a certain way. If we are playing, you often say, "No, Mommy, like THIS. Do it like I SAY!" You are very bossy and demanding. I accommodate you to your detriment. This whole mommy thing is so hard; I want to teach you how to be a good person, but I relentlessly spoil you. I am hoping, dear one, that I will do better for you.

I have to work so much, Daphne, and sometimes you are sad when I leave. We make up for it with snuggles when I return, and you spend a lot of time with your dads, too. They are both just as enamored with you as I am. You really are lucky in that, kiddo. I'm so, so grateful for both of them and their love for you.

I cannot believe that when I write this letter next year, you will be starting school. I cannot believe how fast these years are flying. I cannot believe that the tiny one I have carried is now her own person. Daphne, the person you are, the person you are continuing to become, is so beautiful. You are kind, compassionate, independent, smart, funny (you LOVE jokes and making people laugh), and always so loving and affectionate. I am so proud of you.

Love,
Mommy