Keeping the Peace

Dear Mackenzie,

Here are some recent happenings:

-You asked me the other day, "Can you have a baby named Rose?" I don't even know where you heard the name Rose and it's cute that you've already picked out a name for this nonexistent sister of yours but, um, hard no.

-I can't believe how big you already are. I had to pack away your size 4T and 5T clothes because you now fit into sizes 6 and 7. I asked you if you could stay this size forever, and you replied, "When I'm bigger, I can still be a good helper. I will still help you." And you really are an AMAZING helper! You are always so eager to help me carry the laundry, grab ingredients from the pantry, mix whatever I am cooking on the stove, shut off the lights in a room, etc. When I tell you to clean up your room, you do it and put all of your toys and books away. You are the best!

-You are also an amazing hugger! You hug me all of the time and sometimes you hug me so tightly, your whole body starts to quiver! You're always requesting, "One more hug!" And the other day, when I asked you why you seemed so excited, you said, "I'm so excited to hug Mama!"

-I always have music playing in the house and I think that's why you like listening to music so much. And I love hearing you sing along to your favorite pop songs. (You recently heard the song "Stay" by Zedd and Alessia Cara and ask for it all the time now. You also like "She's All I Wanna Be" and "Greedy" by Tate McRae.) You always sound so cute! You also love to dance and we have dance parties whenever we can!

-When you were in nursery school, you were all about playing with your Calico Critters and Bluey and Disney princess figurines. Lately, though, those toys have been collecting dust on your shelf as you have turned to all things Barbie. Aaaggghh, another sign that you are getting bigger!

-Your school is almost one mile away from our house and I used to use your stroller to bring you home, but over the past few months, you have often walked back the entire way. When we get to the "squiggly hill" near our house, you often smile and say, "I walked the whole way home!"

-You are a strong walker--and you are a strong runner, too! You can run really fast for a 4-year-old! And when you are on your scooter, I have to run really fast to keep up with you. You are getting so strong!

-The other day, JieJie and Second GuhGaw were fighting in the attic. He claimed that she hit him with a basketball on purpose, she claimed that he scratched her arm on purpose. Of course, they both claimed their misdeeds were accidents. They were snapping at each other and I heard you say in the most placating tone, "Okay guys, it wasn't on purpose, just say you're sorry." Look at you, mini peacekeeper!

Love,

Mom