Dear Scarlett

My dearest Scarlett,

Earlier this week, I read you a letter I wrote on your second birthday. You asked me what gifts you got that year, and I couldn't remember, so I had to look back at the blog.  You got a wagon and teddy bears, and then you played in a box.  I found the letter and read it, and I couldn't help but think that all our memories are being replaced with new memories before I can write them all down for you.

Daddy and I are enjoying you, tremendously.  You are so affectionate with hugs- you want to give daddy the tightest because he's the best daddy in the world.  In the mornings, you wait until the the clock says "seven zero zero" and you knock on the wall, then I come in and we giggle and cuddle.  Sometimes you knock when it's 6:47 or 6:57.  These times, you claim to forget that the 7 has to be on the beginning of the clock.

We're reading longer books, and now that the pictures are getting sparse, you constantly tell us "say eeee-hiiiiiiiiiiii when there's a picture".  eeee-hiiiiiiiii is what ninjas say. We're on the 4th Little House book, and you & daddy just starting a ninja Choose Your Own Adventure book. 

At school, you learned to make banana oat bites.  You came home and gave dad a lesson on how to make them too, and you were so excited.  But you didn't actually want to eat them, only to make them.  You've been threading needles, doing "tasting work" and digging in the dirt.  You told me that you and Leo are digging a tunnel to school, so you can go there on the weekends.  I asked, what would you do at school on the weekend?  You said- do works in whatever order we want and not put them back on the right shelves!  Then you cackled.  You have a well-behaved spark, which I love. 

Above, on the playground at school.  Climbing and building a dam in your fancy shoes. I love that about you.

You are such an incredible human being, I'm so proud to be your mom and I've loved watching you grow and laugh and learn.  At night, you're sound asleep with Arnie snuggled tight on your neck or next to your cheek, and I can still see the little baby Scarlett on the face of that big girl Scarlett.

Love forever,
your Mama

Almost five

Things Scarlett is into lately:

• Ninjas- not ninja turtles, but regular all-in-black ninjas that speak mostly in hand signals and move all stealth. 
• The Titanic- she said, "I'm interested in the Titanic but also scared of it."  She always wants to make sure I tell everyone, Don't go on a ship called Titanic.  I promised her that we all know this already.  But she wants me to tell you again, to be sure.
• Building an underground tunnel between our house and Leo's- Leo is her school best friend this year, he lives a half-mile away.  We walk around the neighborhood and look at markings on the sidewalk, and she tells me they're related to the tunnel build.
• Cooking.  Now that we have nice, long counters and plenty of kitchen space (Charlie, I love the kitchen, thanks thanks!), she pulls up her step stool and stirs and cuts and leans precariously close to the stovetop.  She's always tried to help in the kitchen, but these days she is genuinely helpful.

Broadway

Last night was a good night- Hedwig on Broadway.  Tonight I get to come home, that will be even better.

Scar-ism

"The Titanic was my friend."


And then, later  in the day...

"The Titanic was my friend. Until it went down."

Scarism

"I'm gonna rescue people from black holes.  I'm gonna put ropes down them and when they feel the ropes, I pull them out."


Unrelated to black holes, we visited Carrie and also a troll. 

Scarism

"I'm going to be an outer space doctor. I will help people who get hurt in space."