That's right! Today our sweet Sadie girl turns FOUR-YEARS-OLD! Three was pretty good to us and we look forward to what Four brings! I have to say, Sadie is pretty excited to turn Four, because that means she'll be Five next year (apparently Five will be a big year)! So here goes our annual review of all things Sadie...
Personality: Overall, our Sadie is a happy, bubbly little girl! She is sweet, goofy, curious and playful. She enjoys learning, a good cuddle and still has a love for alll things orange (with brown coming in second)! Sadie has certainly moved past her timidity and will happily tell anyone, anything on her mind. For example, today at the bakery she told every person there, customer or staff alike, that today is her birthday and all the details surrounding the mighty event. However, you never know when she will randomly clam up and become shy. Sadie loves her little sister something fierce and always tries to hold Norah's hand or comfort her when she is sad. That's not to say that Sadie is always sweet and kind to her sister (which is quickly apparent while you hear Norah frantically yelling "Sadie shaaare, Sadie share"). Overall, Sadie looooves to play with Norah and directs her sister into all sorts of fun.
She is generally pretty emotionally competent and can be flexible when plans change. She does struggle with this more when she is tired or stressed and can definitely act her age when she doesn't want to share or get what she wants. We continue to work on our listening skills and some days go to time-out many times until we figure it out. It's a work in progress :) She can become very sensitive at times, but it is hard to predict when that will happen. We've noticed that she's beginning to feel what seems to be shame when we get upset with her or when she make a big mistake. We're working on that one as well to help her know she is always safe, loved and ok, even when she messes up.
And as expected, Sadie is still such a Daddy's girl. So much so, when she gets really excited about something she will blurt out a guttural "Daddy" instead of a typical little girl squeal. They have such a sweet bond.
Activies/Playtime: Now Sadie has never been the kid to sit and play with dolls or act out scenarios with little figures. Sadie is that kid who likes to gather treasures for her special bag, purse, container, halloween bucket, etc. Or set up a whole scenarios for her and Norah to pretend sleep. Or collects all the books in an upside down tent. Or makes a playground with the couch cushions. She also tends to have one or two "special" items that she becomes attached to for a short time. Some of our past items include: an orange empty bubble tube the size of my thumb, a Starbucks 'green stick' that keeps your drink warm, a plastic ring, a sequined pink purse, a small snow white figure, a rolled up receipt that is known to be a 'map.' You never know if she will stick with the item for a couple days, or a couple months. But they always get the place of honor during nap/bedtimes on the edge of her dresser ("So I can see it when I sleep," she says).
Sadie is one of those kids who could sit and watch shows all day long if we let her (which we don't). Her favorite show is Doc McStuffins, as well as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Go Diego Go and the movie Tangled. In the car, Sadie has to listen to a particular set of songs, followed by an audio version of the God Book. Right now, these songs are (in this particular order): 1. Holy, Holy, Holy (version by Matt Maher), 2. Earth is Yours (by Gungor-main chorus sings 'Holy' several times) 3. After all (Holy) (by David Crowder Band). Get the idea?
Sadie loves books and has several memorized word for word. Her very favorite book to read continues to be her "God book" (Jesus Storybook Bible). She'll often sit for twenty minutes or more absorbing every detail. I love that she has passed this habit down to her sister as well. So sweet. Her poor book though has been taped and repaired so many times, that I don't know how long it will last.
Our Sadie loves to get together with her friends. Her best (girl)friend is Mae, but has several others that are a close runners up. We really miss our neighbor Jack who she played with several times a week. He recently moved far, far away, but we are grateful for all the ways he taught Sadie how to play (he was a 2+ years older and very imaginative). Sadie gets along great with other kids and will make friends wherever she goes!
Sadie may not be known for her athleticism, speed or coordination, but she has certainly improved over the last couple of months. She can now easily balance and jump off the back of a couch and land on two feet. Big improvement :) She still walks toe first...like her daddy.
School: Sadie looooves school (pre-school at our church). She has such a fun time with her little friends and loves her teacher Ms. Jeri. She goes twice a week from 8:30-2:30. I'm so grateful she is so at home there!
Mealtime: This kid is a pretty average eater. She likes lots of foods, but has a hard time staying focused on the task of eating. Her very favorite snack is almonds with craisins.
Sleep: Sadie really is such a great little sleeper, for which I am very, very grateful. She generally sleeps from 7:30p-7:30a and wakes up happy as can be. She doesn't nap on school days and about one other day a week she will play in her bed instead of napping. When she does nap, it is usually three-hours-long! Amazing, huh? She still has her stinky ol' green blanky with the "toesy holes" she created to hook her toes into. She used to be very bonded to a stuffed rocket and a couple other items over the year, but now she can sleep just fine without them so long as she has her blanky. Before we lay her down, she has to rock while we sing "Going" and "Holy, Holy, Holy." Holy recently replaced, "Adore Him" (Oh Come Let Us Adore Him). She ditched Adore Him just before Christmas. I tried to explain to her it was the wrong season in the church calendar to drop it, but she didn't buy it.
She still sleeps in her crib. Gasp! Lots of friends make fun of me...but she just loves her bed. Only this week did she start to climb out...but she's old enough that she can do it pretty safely. Within the next two weeks, we will move her into a twin bed, which she is pretty excited about.
We love you so very much Sadie! You have brought us so much joy and we pray you receive tenfold as much joy as you've given us!
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