Happy 3rd Birthday, Sophie Rose!

Dearest Sophie Rose, 

Happy, happy 3rd birthday!  

You are so full of energy and life, and a joy to all you meet. 

You are also a mischievous little pixie.  You can easily devise a plan to reach almost anything you have your heart set on reaching, usually treats and markers that you aren't allowed to use without special permission.  We often find stools and chairs and even bins moved around, so that you can climb to counter tops and reach the items you seem to crave so much.  If the stools and chairs weren't enough of a clue of your mischief, you often leave tell tale signs of it on your face in the form of self-inflicted tattoos (see above) and chocolate or crumbs.  

 

You have the slowest growing hair of all our daughters thus far.  I've trimmed it a time or two to even it out at the bottom, but it grows slowly, so you still have the look of a younger girl in my opinion.  You also refuse to leave hair bows, headbands, or hair ties in your hair for more than about 5 minutes, so you always have the disheveled look of just having rolled out of bed.  But you have a smile bright enough and animated eyes that sparkle with wildness and fun.  

 

Nana and Granddaddy were here for your birthday celebrations this year.  You thoroughly enjoyed being the center of attention and thrilled at the sight of your new tricycle, which you and your siblings rode around and around the house since your birthday was a rather chilly December day.  We all loved watching you delight in your birthday cheesecake with flaming candles.  

Your birthday is the feast of St. Lucy, and you were finally old enough this year (and it was conveniently your turn as well) to dress up as St. Lucia and bring in lighted cinnamon rolls to everyone as is our tradition each year to celebrate St. Lucy, whose name means light.  

You were too scared to carry the tray with flaming cinnamon rolls, so we ended up blowing them out and letting you simply deliver them without the usual blaze.  

You adore your little brother and love to play silly games with him and chase him around laughing hysterically.  You have taught him how to beg for snacks, as you seem to have a hollow leg and are always "hungee".  

You wear your emotions on your sleeve.  When you are happy, you dance about the house in glee.  When you are annoyed, you glare at anyone who will meet your eye with your arms firmly crossed across your chest.  When you are sad, you whimper and wail pitifully, and you beseech us for hugs and snuggles.  When you are mad, you shriek and shout, and stomp your little feet for added emphasis.  And when you feel silly, you laugh and giggle with your whole self, and your face lights up in an animated and often impish little grin.  

You don't know a stranger.  When we visited my sister's in-laws over Christmas, you made fast friends with everyone (save the dog), most especially the ones with a soft spot.  Doreen gave you a little treat, and you hung out with her smiling and being your silly self, and no doubt securing a few more of those little treats for yourself in the process.  

Sophie, we are so blessed to be your parents.  You are the "Amy" of our "Little Women" and you make a rather accurate Amy, perhaps with a bit of Jo thrown in.  As such, it is sure to be a lot of fun as we continue to watch you grow and develop.  Thank you for bringing us so much love and joy, and for reminding us that life is not to be taken so seriously and that laughter is truly one of the best medicines.  Never lose your sense of adventure and your playful, spirited nature.  

Happy 3rd Birthday, So(h)bs B!