four years & a pinterest pick of the week {#23}

This cherub~

{scanned photo courtesy of Eternal Treasures Photography}

~is Four Years Old!

{photo courtesy of Life Simply Photographed}

Little Kid is also now pacifier-free.  We have struggled with the pacifier.  Her older brother never cared much for it, but from day one, his sister was a big fan.  At her first dental visit, I asked the pediatric dentist if we should get rid of it, but he was concerned that she would start sucking her thumb.  You cannot take away a thumb!  So we limited her “Pal”, as she called it, until she was only using it at bedtime. 

Last month, the dentist advised us that the pacifier needed to be gone, and we began talking up the Paci Fairy.  We told her that on her fourth birthday, the Paci Fairy would visit while she was sleeping, take her pals and bring her an Ariel doll!  The fairy would then take her pacifiers to her cousin, Baby Hallie. 

Monday night she went to bed with her last two pals and the Paci Fairy arrived at 10:30.  By 11:15, Little Kid was awake and crying in her bed.  The next several hours were rough, but she finally fell asleep--pacifier free-

At 4:15 AM.

I felt as if I were in newborn survival mode again.  We stood firm yesterday, and when she pitifully asked for her pal while doing her best Droopy Dog impersonation, we told her that she is four and a Big Girl now.  At one point she said, “I want to give the Paci Fairy back my doll, and I want my pal.  I want to be three!”

I did not know if last night would be as stressful, but she conked out at 8pm, and I did not hear a peep out of her again until 7:30 this morning!  I think that she was all birthday-ed out.

I believe that she has changed her mind and would like Ariel to stay.

Happy Birthday, dear daughter.  In the past year, you have grown by leaps and bounds.  Your personality and backbone emerged this year.  You have always been a sweet and demure girl, so it was a surprise and a challenge sometimes when you asserted your independence.  I would have it no other way.  I want you to grow up to be a strong woman.

You love Disney Princess, Barbie, Littlest Pet Shops, and your Daddy’s iPad.  You are still a picky eater, even more discerning than your brother.  Thank goodness for veggie nuggets.  You are all about makeup and fashion and like to look at the pictures in Mommy’s InStyle magazine.  Your favorite activity is dance, but Mommy’s choir director, Miss Katherine, is trying her hardest to get you into the toddler choir at church.

You are the jewel of our family.  You are all about pretty pink and glittery glamour.  You love to sit at your new vanity and apply your Tinkerbell lipstick.  But more importantly, you are kind and thoughtful.  Yesterday when we were filling out a personality survey on the Disney Princess & Me website, when asked what personality trait most suited you, you responded, “Smart”.  Atta girl.

We love you very much, Alexa Leigh.

{Three Years Old; Two Years Old}

{Happy Birthday Subway Art from my Sweets Birthday Party Board on Pinterest} 

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