Happy Birthday Susannah!

Oh Susannah, how in the world are you already 4?    Words fail me when I try to express just how much love and joy you have brought to our lives.   You are smart, kind, thoughtful, silly, observant, opinionated, affectionate, impatient and hilarious.   Daily I marvel at how much you are learning and maturing every single day.   You have adapted beautifully into your German school and love your teachers (especially Frau Pfeiffer) and your friends.    You love to read and will spend long periods of time looking at books.  You are very inquisitive and ask all sorts of insightful and often hilarious questions.   ("Daddy, what color is the rain?   Daddy can I put this rubberband on my thumbtoe (big toe)?   Mommy, what makes the wind blow?   Mommy, will you have another baby in your belly?   How did you get Sarah Avery into your belly?")  You also refer to your sister as "my baby" and introduce her to other people by saying, "Have you met my baby?   This is my baby."  You are the absolutely most conscientious and loving big sister.   Sarah Avery is so lucky to have you.   And your Daddy and I?   Well, our hearts are absolutely brimming with love and pride for our beautiful 4 year old girl!!    Here are some pictures from your birthday week:

First breakfast as a four year old.   I woke you up by singing "Happy Birthday" and you sat straight up in bed with a smile, saying, "Am I FOUR??"   

You helped me bake the cupcakes for your birthday party.

Just a little before-school sister time in your Belle dress.

Your Daddy rushed home from his trip to The Netherlands to be at your family birthday dinner.   You requested pizza and a pink cupcake, so that is what we had. 

"How many of these do we have to take?"

Making your wish

You were so excited to be the birthday girl.

You had already opened and put on your present from Mimi and Poppy, this new leotard and tutu.   After cupcakes, you opened all of your other presents. 

Disney princesses were definitely a recurring theme, which you loved.

You are so lucky to have so many grandparents and family that love you.

Sarah Avery was excited to be a part of all the fun of course. 

Checking out her feet.

"Happy Birthday Susannah!"

She loves her big sis!

You requested the "exact same princess party as last year."   This was fine by me because I didn't have to be creative.  ;)

We had a total of 9 kids under 5 for a princess brunch on Saturday morning.

It was lots of fun.

This year we had a pinata which was a big hit even though some of the little girls including you were nervous to give it a try.

More cupcakes and singing!

Last year you were a little nervous, 

but this year you were all smiles.

Opening presents with your friend Charlie.

Your best friend from school made you a card.

You even had a present to open from the upstairs neighbors.

After everybody left, you relaxed with one of your new princess puzzles.

Later that afternoon, you sported your new fur vest from Aunt Nancy and Shoo-Shoo as we headed down the street to a little Christmas market in our neighborhood.

It was cooold, but you and Daddy had a good time riding this pink Cadillac.

First gluhwein of the season

Your Daddy likes his with a shot of rum.  

The Sunday after your birthday party was Christmas decorating day.

This was the first year you were really into helping.   You and Daddy picked out the tree and you helped me decorate it.

I love making these memories with you.

Christmas is the most fun it has ever been now that you are four.

You especially loved hanging the candy canes.  

I couldn't stop taking pictures of this sweet afternoon.

Daddy hung the star.

As evidenced by this picture, you don't always like having your picture taken.

But sometimes you do.  

You have been really enjoying your manger scene this year.

Meadow's stocking that became Aunt Nancy's stocking is now Sarah Avery's stocking.   I'm planning to buy some nice matching monogrammed ones now that our family is complete.

This is the advent calendar that you and I have been doing this year.   You are surprisingly into the daily bible verses as much as you are the daily chocolates.

You were terrified of this singing penguin the last two years, but this year you love him.   One thing that you are still afraid of is the Elf on the Shelf.   When I told you that he would be coming any day now, you went straight to Daddy's lap with tears welling in your eyes.   So we decided to send Santa an email and tell him to cancel our elf for the year.  You said maybe next year when you are five.  

This is how Sarah Avery felt about Christmas decorating.

We also took out all of our Christmas books and have been reading them every night for story-time.

Finished product.   Love.

Well, Susannah, that was how we spent your 4th birthday week.   You also had a little party at school with Frau Pfeiffer, but I wasn't invited so we don't have any pictures.  ;)    We love you so much!  Happy Birthday!   And a great big thank you to all of our family who made her birthday so special with all the sweet cards and gifts and skype sessions.