Dirty Little Secret

Dear Ironflower,

Today you are 5. In some ways it seems like if I blinked, you’d go back to being my happy, sleepy newborn again. In other ways, since I can’t imagine life without you, it feels like you should be at least 20. What I am sure of, though, is that I love you more each day.

You are so friendly and outgoing, so quick to make friends. I think that’s so cool. And you figure things out so quickly, you are a good thinker. And a good talker. You are the most verbal child I’ve ever met; I love listening to you talk about your day or have imaginary discussions with your animals. You like to be independent and self-sufficient, except when it’s just “too hard”. And that’s okay, because I always want to be able to help you when it’s “too hard”. You are very reasonable for a 5 year old and handle having to wait for things you want exceptional well.

Right now, you like princesses, dinosaurs, outer space and Project Runway. You like to have your own fashion shows with your dress up clothes and today you’ve dressed yourself in black leggings, a pink tulle skirt and a pink princess t-shirt. Later you will play with your princess dolls and/or dinosaurs, telling stories with Lovebug and entertaining yourself for hours.

You are also an avid artist, drawing, coloring and painting for hours. You add details to all of your drawings – even the ones your teacher asks you to make to illustrate your math skills! You are into drawing princesses right now, but you also like to make abstracts. I am amazed at your ability and patience.

Your favorite stories right include non-fiction about space, Arthur, Fancy Nancy and Olivia. You like to watch Arthur and Olivia too, but I think your favorite kid’s show is Dinosaur Train. Besides Project Runway, you like to watch Supernanny with me. You love the Barbie movies, especially the 12 Dancing Princesses. You love to go to shows like Shrek and Disney on Ice – you already know what’s expected of a good audience member.

I love you, kiddo, more than I ever thought possible.

Mommy

Ironflower got a belated birthday present. I’m sure the gift was given in good faith. I’m fairly sure this person’s child did not receive the same gift for his birthday and that this person didn’t take one look at it and decide to regift it. But even if she did, I totally understand why.

Ironflower received a game called “Lucky Ducks”. It requires batteries. Unfortunately, we actually had the batteries. So Ironflower has been playing the game since yesterday. Lovebug and I have even played with her. The game is simple enough that she can play by herself or with her brother (without fighting). It’s a bit educational. But what it mostly is, is loud. The ducks quack throughout the ENTIRE game.

Which means that while Ironflower entertains herself for an hour – which is fantastic – the ducks quack for that entire hour. Which is not fantastic. In fact, it’s so annoying that I’m kinda hoping that the game breaks. Normally I can ignore – some would say all too easily – the noises my children and their toys make. But the mechanic quacking is DRIVING ME INSANE. And it’s not just me.

This afternoon Lovebug got up and ran away during a Lucky Ducks game. The conversation that ensued was illuminating:

Ironflower: Where are you going? The game’s not over.
Lovebug: NO! NO! NO DUCKS! I PLAY TRAINS!!!!!! NO DUCKS!

And ChunkyMonkey, who normally sleeps peacefully during the screams, shouts and thuds of his siblings, woke up when the Lucky Ducks game came on.

I’m telling you, these quacks are possibly the most annoying sound on the planet.How wrong would it be if the game disappeared suddenly? Or ran out of batteries?

And what the hell should I write in the thank-you note?

(This should have been posted yesterday. I suck.)

My big girl, I can’t believe you are four today. I can’t remember life without you – and yet it seems like just yesterday we were waiting anxiously for your first cry (Ironflower got a dose of meds during the c-section because it took SO long for them to get her out, thus her first cry was delayed long enough to terrify us). You are such an amazing kid. It seems as though you’ve been making up for that delayed first cry ever since, with your precocious talking abilities.

I love that you can talk to anyone about anything. . .without stopping. I am so proud of how hard you are trying in dance class, even though it hasn’t come easily for you. And you are such an amazing big sister, often willing to share and always willing to hug. Your memory always astounds me, as does your imagination.

Right now you love princesses so much that I’ve even purchased Barbie products for you, something I never thought I’d do. Though I confess that it’s probably my fault you also love make-up these days. What makes you especially cool though is that you also love dinosaurs and your knowledge of them is already encyclopedic. And your favorite TV show is 64 Zoo Lane, about a little girl and her animal friends. You recently saw Into the Woods – and impressed all those seated around you with your ability to pay attention – and I think as of right now that is your favorite musical.

You have handled the arrival of a new baby brother with total aplomb. You love to sing him lullabies and nursery rhymes and you imitate the way I talk to him perfectly.

We love you so much, honey. And we are so proud to be your parents.