Four Years Old

It's official.  We have a FOUR year old on our hands, and she is such a big girl now. 

 

Sweet Madeline:  our first born, Amelia's little Mama, our thoughtful and caring little girl, our rule follower, our child who learns from her consequences, our little fashionista, our bossy britches, our Drama Mama, our book lover, our Chatty Cathy who talks to just talk when there is too much silence, our imaginative playmate, our independent girl who enters the preschool like she owns it, our princess-jewel-ballet-high heels-loving girly girl, our inquisitive child with a memory like a steel trap, our sweet girl who requests "family hugs" all the time, our beach baby 

Madeline's Favorites Right Now:  Arby's, the colors pink and purple, Nutella & peanut butter sandwiches, Fruit Loops or Raisin Graham Crunch (can't bring myself to tell her it's Raisin Bran cause it's just so darn cute) in milk, Barbie dolls, Playing dress up, Ariel, her Little People princesses, watching Super Why or The Little Einsteins, reading Fancy Nancy or Pinkalicious books, reading fairy tales, "helping" with a story at bedtime (She has memorized so many of her books, so she can "read" one to us each night.), swimming at the pool, anything that sparkles, wearing jewels & Mommy's high heels

Madeline received a clean bill of health at the four year old well visit.  She weighs 33 pounds 6 ounces (36 percentile) and is 40.5 inches tall (66 percentile).  Her vision is 20/20, and she passed her hearing test with flying colors.  Eric and I didn't tell her about the shots prior to the visit.  When she asked us, we always, said, "I don't know.  Dr. B. will let us know."  So, after Dr. B. checked Madeline out, Madeline asked the dreaded question.  Sorry to throw you under the bus, Dr. B., but we decided she'd take it better coming from you, the doctor.  We were really proud of Madeline's handling of four shots & one finger prick.  She didn't flinch at the finger prick, whimpered at the first three shots, and the last one had a big fat needle, a lot of fluid, and it burned.  That one got her tears flowing, but as soon as she discovered necklaces and bracelets in the special four year old treasure box, the shots were no longer an issue.  Her five band-aids then became battle scars, and she proudly declared to everyone we met that day about her morning at the doctor's office.   

Madeline is our independent, imaginative, creative play little girl.  She's happy as a clam in her room playing by herself, dressing up, donning jewels on all of her limbs, and she thinks she looks "perfectly fabulous" as she likes to say.  She marches to her own tune, and she has confidence.  She will proudly dance, play, talk, tell outrageous stories that never end, and draw & explain pictures with no worries about what others think of her.  For example, at her friend Aubrey's birthday party, she assembled this tutu, Hello Kitty rain boots attire over her party dress, and she then proceeded to walk around with a tray of cookies stopping at each person to offer them one.  She was in her own little world and was proud of it.

Madeline hit the Ferocious Fours with gusto.  We've seen a resurgence of temper tantrums, testing the rules, talking back, bossing her sister around in an aggressive bullying type of manner, and some general defiance.  It was slowly coming on and our usually mild mannered, easy to parent child seemed to turn into a terrible twos type child over the course of a couple of weeks.  Her unacceptable behaviors and Mommy came to an explosive head shortly after her fourth birthday.  During some Mama down time, I pulled out my trusty John Rosemond and devised my plan because my "raising my voice, time outs/being sent to her room, privilege loss" strategies were NOT working.  Madeline's toys, dolls, dress up clothes, jewels, coloring books, purses, TV,  and playroom playtime were all removed from her.  I laid out the three simple rules: 1. Share 2. Do not boss anyone around or talk back. 3. Keep your hands to yourself.  Each day was a new day broken into three slots (morning, lunchtime before naps, and after naps), Madeline got to pick something to earn back for each slot.  I set it out to remind her what she was working to earn back, and she had to display acceptable behavior in order to get her stuff back.  Seven long days later, she had earned ALL of her stuff back, and she was back to the Madeline we were used to having around.  It made an impression on her, and she was so proud of herself for living up to expectations & earning her stuff back.  She realized just how much she enjoys her toys and TV privileges, so she still reminds me what the three rules are.  She also assures me she's going to follow the rules because she doesn't want to lose her stuff again.  Sweet girl.

Madeline cannot wait to get back to seeing her two little best friends everyday at preschool.  She's beyond excited to see them, be in the four year old class, and do "fun stuff", as she calls it, at school.  School is definitely Madeline's happy place.

Madeline, Your Daddy and I are so proud of the little girl you are becoming.  We love your spunk, your mannerly ways, your silly girly girl antics, and your sweet nature.  We love you with all of our hearts, and we look forward to watching you grow and learn as you creep towards five years old.