My baby girl turned three last week. (I know. Three!) Third birthdays are so fun, aren't they? It might be the first time they really understand that the day is all about them...and my little Annabel Edrie soaked every last bit of that special love and attention up. Not that she doesn't get it everyday, she certainly does. After all, this youngest one has seven people in the house to dote up on her. Anytime someone says no, surely one of the six remaining will say yes, right? Oh, it's a dangerous and wonderful thing, the youngest babe and all her fans in the house!
I came home from New York to a 'top secret' project in the works. Under the woodshed, and under some tarps, with saws and screws and drills and hammers everywhere, Adelaide had begun a birthday gift for her sister. A House For Annabel. Made out of leftover barn shingles, a pallet, and scraps of wood from last fall's construction project, she pieced together this little getaway for Annabel, complete with window trim, benches and chairs. We've hardly seen her for days for all the work she's been up to - fabric strips for the window, potted pink flowers for the entrance. After construction, it was moved to a corner of the garden, tucked under the trees, and presented to the little miss, who of course loves this little house that's all her own.
Oh this gifting they do for each other sure does make a Mama's heart swell with pride and joy. And so do growing, funny, confident, and loving babies turning three. I suppose I really do need to stop calling her a baby. Oh, but must I really? Right now she is still happy to declare herself Mama's Baby, and so I'll roll with that as long as I can. Oh my girl. S'mores, apple pie, tadpole catching, lamb snuggling, pink bathing suits, cousins, a house of her own, and sunshine? I'd say we've officially greeted 'three' in a way just right for our Annabel.
