Dear Goose:

Today you are three. As I listen to you happily singing yourself to sleep in the next room, I am thinking of the year that has passed. You have continued to grow and amaze me, every day. This year brought tremendous change in your life, change you have handled so well. I am so proud of you in many ways.

You have continued to show your love for all of those near to you. You love to love, and give it so freely. A hug from you makes me feel like there is no one else as special to you in the world. My heart swells every time. You do the same for your father and brother too. This is but one way that it is wonderful to see that you and your brother are becoming such great friends, even if it means that you get into oodles of trouble together. I secretly admire the fact that you are now often the ringleader, convincing him to try your crazy ideas. You keep forging your own path and standing up for your self, but do it with kindness and care, and a little bit of your minx-like humour too.

I love to watch you learn and explore. You tackle any task with gusto, and work until you succeed. We can no longer measure the things that you can say or do, because we can’t keep up. Most days bring new skills and accomplishments, or renewed efforts to master tasks that have stumped you. I love to just watch it happen. This year you started skating, riding a bike, swimming with very little help, started school, become a world traveller, and continued to develop into a wonderful little person, running every step of the way.

I love you my amazing little girl!
mama

Helping with the baking

Testing the boundaries (she stayed within them)

Learning to skate

Joy!

She comes from a big family of readers

Hanging with her bud

First day of school

Bike rider!

Monkey faces. Guess whose idea?