Generous

Dear Nora,

I have found myself telling people lately about what a gift-giver you are. You really do encapsulate for me the verse, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) It started as you giving me things of yours when you could tell I wasn't feeling well. But now you will just come up to me and whisper, out of the blue, "I'm going to give you a surprise," with sheer delight in your eyes.

Over Thanksgiving you picked out little toys from your room to give away to Aunt Holly, Caroline, and Wesley. Last week you came home from school with your sticker chart full and gave away your prized stickers to Daddy, Luke, and me. We were reading a Pinkalicious book a few nights ago where she gives her Mommy a gift she finds at a garage sale. You looked at me and said, "Did she buy that for herself or for her Mommy?" I could see the wheels in your head turning, then you bounced down off your bed, and told me to close my eyes and open up my hands. You grabbed your Cinderella Barbie and proudly placed it in my hands saying, "You can keep it forever."

Recently we went out to lunch and I told you that we could share your cookie after you ate your turkey and cheese. You kept asking for it, but kept not eating the rest of your lunch. Once you finally finished it all at dinner, we got out your cookie. I asked you if you wanted to share any with Luke and you immediately agreed without hesitation, so we split the long awaited cookie into thirds. This week you received special stickers at the grocery store and the doctors office. Before the days were over, you had given both to me.

Generosity really does ooze from your heart and it sure touches mine.

I love you and am so proud of you, Nora!

Love,
Mommy

New Years Eve Letter from Daddy

Sweet Nora,

I typically write you a letter on your birthday, but I somehow neglected to write you one on your 4th. I'll spare you the excuses. Now you're closer to your 5th birthday, but I suppose New Years' Eve is as good an occasion as any to write you a letter. Happy 4 and 7/12 th's birthday!

In some ways, I'm glad I'm writing this now instead of in May or June, because you've grown and changed so much since then. You finally learned to use the potty, which may sound funny or trivial when you read this later in life, but let me assure you that this was a profound accomplishment for yourself and our family! I was with you when you finally went ‘stinky’ on the potty for the first time. There was great rejoicing, and you requested a pink starburst as a reward.

You're much more confident than you used to be at school and your various activities (like swimming lessons and gymnastics). You make friends easily and enjoy playing with your brother…most of the time. Even though you fight sometimes, it is very clear that you and Luke love and care for each other. 

You smile and laugh a lot, and you have a wonderfully vibrant imagination. I love overhearing you playing with your dolls and other toys, doing different voices and having adventures. You even talk to the washcloth when I give you a shower. Your favorite one has a picture of Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and you excitedly say 'Hi!' whenever I show it to you. Once you're talking to Belle, it's like I'm not even there. You tell Belle about your day, compliment her dress, and ask her questions. You love princesses, but Cinderella and Elsa (from Frozen) are your favorite. 

I give you a shower most nights, and then get you dressed in your PJ's. After dinner, I brush your teeth, we read a book, and then we sit on your bed where you say, 'Let's talk.' We talk about your day, and you ask me questions about things. Sometimes they're simple questions, but sometimes you ask me something deeper like, 'Where is heaven?'  (I hope we can talk like this for many years to come as you get older!). Then we pray together, and I tickle your back while singing you a couple songs. (Usually skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, and 'I love you Nora', which is an original family composition set to the tune of 'We love you Conrad' from Bye Bye Birdie. I think Mommy first came up with that one). After I close your door and tuck Luke in next door, you will often come out of your room and ask, 'Daddy, will you hold me for a few minutes?' I can't say no.

You like to play 'baby', which means I snuggle with you and you point at things, pretending that you can't talk. You rarely just walk from one place to another; you run, skip, prance, dance, bound, twirl, or crawl. You are very strong and athletic, and creative too. You still have your baby cheeks, and I'm trying to enjoy them while they last. 

You’re emotionally intelligent, too. You are sensitive to peoples’ feelings, and seem to pick up on the subtleties of the way people interact. You always take very good care of your dolls and ‘babies’. You seem to be naturally compassionate and nurturing. Mommy and I are so thankful for that.

There’s so much more I could say. You're a delight, Nora, and I love you so much!

Love,

Daddy