Dear Leah,

It doesn't seem right to say it, but you're four. We thought three sounded old, but this is just crazy talk! Four. Four years of a round little baby turning into a beautiful little child. Four years of a hard-to-please infant turning into a just-wants-to-please you child. Four years of smiles, giggles, hugs, and kisses from the most loving child we could ever hope for.

It's been a wild ride and the days just keep on getting crazier. We've known from early on that you wouldn't go unnoticed as the middle child. You are sneaky and most of the time, we can't turn our backs for a second. We still have moments when we know if it's quiet, you must be up to something! Most of the time, it's an innocent kind of "something" that you're up to, but yet it's still enough to push us right to the edge of crazy! Like, for example, when you're asked to go wash your hands before a meal and you take it upon yourself to also wash your 1-year-old brother's hands, arms, shirt, and anything else he manages to soak. Or, you run out of water and take it upon yourself to refill the water bottle only to end up leaving a puddle the size of a small ocean on the kitchen floor. The list goes on and on.

Yet, for every crazy moment you give, you also balance it with an equal amount of love and affection. You still love to be picked up and held. You give hugs and kisses constantly throughout the day. You are known for your random "I love you"s. You are always concerned about the welfare of others...the first on the scene when someone is hurt or crying. Your favorite past-time is playing with your baby dolls and caring for their every need. Certainly, unlike many preschoolers, you have an empathetic soul. Your world is not nearly as self-centered as that of a typical 4-year-old child.

For as sweet and sensitive as you are, you are equally as strong-willed and determined. You are rough and tough. Dresses are still not your thing, you love to wrestle, and you could play in the dirt for hours if nobody stops you. You always want to try doing things on your own before letting somebody else help. Independence has been your goal from early on. You are doing things quite a bit sooner than your older brother did them and it catches us off guard. We don't ever assume that you won't figure out how to do something that you've set your mind to! We still find ourselves laughing at your very first multi-word phrase, "Leah do it self". We laugh because those four words sum up everything about your strong will at age 1, 2, 3, and now 4. 

As such, we did worry slightly that your strong will might have an impact on how you'd do in your first year of preschool. Though you did attend last year, this was the first year where you'd be there for a longer period of time and twice a week. After weeks of picking you up and asking, "Did she do okay?", Mommy finally learned to accept and trust that the teachers really meant it when they said, "She's wonderful". And after getting the chance to volunteer a few times, it's clear that you are doing just fine. In fact, you tend to be a bit reserved and spend a lot of time just watching the people around you. 

It's no doubt that you are the child that keeps us on our toes. Just when we think we've got you figured out, you throw us for a loop. You are full of surprises and we love that parenting you is never a boring task. God has certainly given you to us as way to help us grow...in patience, forgiveness, and unconditional love. We love that as you grow, we grow. We love that your big personality is reflection of the big plans that God has for you. You will certainly be used in amazing ways as He continues to guide you and grow you into the beautiful person that you are.

We love you,

Daddy and Mommy