four

Oh Ilo, now you are four year old, wow. As Scott and I sit down to write you a little letter we reflect on the you that is blossoming and evolving. We love your vibrancy and delight, your wonderful and expansive imagination, the tales you tell with so much conviction, your humour and wonder as your vocabulary and understanding grows. As a three/ now four year old, you love to perform, to dance, to take on voices, faces, personalities and scenarios, you really don't miss a trick. You challenge us in ways we never thought possible as your spirit pushes through and we have to use all our parenting know-how, life experience and humour to help and support you as much as we can. But even now in these last few weeks we see this shifting, shifting to a space where your words are being used so much more, regardless of your frustration. I loved when we were talking about this you said matter-of-factly " Well, that's what happens when you grow up".

I love hearing you and Poe as you wake in the morning, side by side, continuing to confess love, plan the day or tell little stories (but not so fond of those rarer mornings that sound like a monster has been unleashed in the room and cannot escape). 

It amazes me when you wake some mornings with a song that you have written in your head, with the instruments you will use already planned. My favourite is the yet to be finished "And the water flows down the river, out in to the sea. I am thinking of you are you thinking of me", and the explanation as to how you came up with those lyrics and melody, is so considered and beautiful. Remembering a time when you have missed someone and explaining the beauty of the river and where it goes. 

Oh my beautiful little one, so full of zest, life, beauty, spirit and fire, so many wishes of four to you. 

We had a very little afternoon Panda party, it was a simple delight, easy, fun and small. A couple of games of musical chairs, statues, Sharma painting panda faces, playing find the panda and then everyone left with a four felt heart mobile, to share the love of four. 

The gifts Ilo received were so beautiful, I thought I might do a post on them separately, some really lovely and inspiring four year old gift ideas.