4 Year Old: Zoe

Zoe Jane is 4.  Wow, 4.  I can't believe it.  She is a little ball of fire yet delicate and tender at the same time.  She hugs tight, kisses often, and will flash a mad face that can knock you dead.  We love her and are so grateful to God for her.  

She loves al things dance and gymnastics.  Ballet is her favorite.  It all started when she was introduced to Angelina Ballerina.  It quickly became her favorite cartoon and book.  It has taught her a lot about dance technique.  She also learned a lot from a video she and Kyrie used to do together--Petite Feet. She walks around twirling, practicing plies, and several other dance moves.  Our NC home has several empty rooms one of which she has made her "dance studio."  She enjoys making up "shows" to perform for us.  She also talks to her friends Gracie, Mickey, Angelina, Margo, Millie, A.Z. and Jack, which are characters from Angelina Ballerina.  She asks almost daily when she will be performing in the Nutcracker and when she will begin taking dance/gymnastics.  

Just this week we were asked by her pre-school teacher to list 3 words that describe her.  We chose strong-willed, tender, and vocal.  The girl may just talk in her sleep.  She wakes up talking 100 miles per hour and continues to do so until bed time.  She is the most quiet when looking at books while riding in the car and when she builds Lego sets.  Otherwise she is talking or singing.

She adores her younger brother and misses her older brother now that he has returned to school.  She loves Levi so much she can not avoid touching him even when he is unhappy.  She also attempts to carry him which often results in tears....lots and lots of tears.  However, she wakes up asking "Where is baby?"  She wants him to sit beside her at breakfast.  She enjoys climbing into his crib when he wakes up.  In general, she enjoys being with him and touching him, but the sentiments are not often returned.  She and Bennett have grown much closer since moving to NC.  They fight as siblings fight, but they also play as siblings play.  She is looking forward to going to "big" school with him and seeing him during lunch.  

And this is real life folks.  Levi was like this the whole shoot.  He was not feeling well and wanted nothing to do with photos or his siblings.

Favorite toys/things to do (throughout the year):

• Duplos
• Legos
• Minnie Mouse Bowtique Dress Up dolls
• Tutus, Crowns, Dance Shoes
• Stella baby
• Barbie dolls
• She enjoys doodling on paper
• She dances almost all the time
• Jumping on the trampoline
• Playing Zingo
• Painting her nails
• Up until we moved to NC she always slept with her Meme (blanket) and a stuffed animal (Kitty, Flip, Lambie, Pooh, or another).  She would leave them all over the house in the morning, but it is no more :(

Books she enjoys (throughout the year):

• Angelina Ballerina
• Curious George
• Fancy Nancy
• Pete the Cat
• Corduroy 
• Sesame Street ABC book
• Ladybug Girl
• Elephant and Piggie
• Shine a Light books
• All Better
• Pinkalicious

Favorite TV Shows/Movies (throughout the year):

• Angelina Ballerina
• Peppa Pig
• Daniel Tiger
• Story Bots
• Carebears
• Sid the Science Kid
• Curious George
• Blues Clues
• Shark Boy and Lava Girl
• Letter Factory

Favorite Foods:

• Yogurt
• Apple
• Banana
• Salami
• French Fries
• Veggie Straws

 She loves to fill bags up with her toys and pretend she is going to school or dance or the park or to a show.  She will fill up her back pack with figurines, her tin lunch box with pretend food, and her purses with legos or anything she can find.  She spreads them throughout the house along with a few baby dolls, Barbies, and/or Minnie Mouse dolls.

We have begun to call her little Shea, which is my sister.  Let's just say she takes her time getting ready and often forgets where she left things last.  It is often a 30 minute process for her to get dressed.  We may ask her to get ready for bed only to walk in to find her dancing in front of the mirror fully clothed all the while her brothers have gotten undressed, taken a bath/shower, and put on pajamas.  She certainly marches to the beat of her drum :)

Right after her 3rd birthday she began waking up between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. daily.  Before L was born we would send her into his room to look at books until 7.  After he was born we attempted to have her go downstairs and play alone which led to her cutting her hair, eating 3 lollipops before breakfast, and coloring random places with a marker.  Eventually we gave up and one us (typically Sam) began getting up with her.  It was a rough several months, but we have adjusted.  She now wakes between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. and most often it is closer to 6:30.  She may or may not nap.  It depends on what we have done during the day.  If she does nap it is most often in the car.  

She has a contagious personality and smile.  She is spunky, yet shy around new people.  She is graceful, yet rough.  She is a snuggler, yet separate.  She is so many wonderful things to me and to our family.  

Dear Zoe, 

You have asked almost daily for several months how long until your birthday.  It has arrived.  You are finally 4 and off you go to pre-school.  As you enter this sweet season of life I pray you know how much we love and cherish you.  You add sugar and spice to our lives that we would have never known had God not placed you in our family.  I pray you use all of your passion and determination to stand up for Christ in all situations.  I pray you know truth, experience freedom in the truth, live truth and pour truth into the lives of others forever and ever.  I pray God grows in you a heart of integrity and compassion.  We love you and praise God for you.

Love, 

Mommy