Dear Arianna, (4 years)

Dear Arianna,
I can't believe how much you have grown in the last year! When I was getting ready to write this post, I went through old pictures. You looked at them with me, and it was so fun to remember all those times. 
At this time last year, you had just learned how to write your name. You now can write anything if I tell you the letters, and there are even some words you know by heart. You are starting to read and were very proud that you sounded out the word "but" during scriptures :) You have gotten very good at riding your bike and scooter but have yet to find the brakes on either one. Your shoes are taking the brunt of it. 
You are obsessed with animals. Specifically turtles and cheetahs, but you love all animals. You love to run around the house pretending you and an animal--digging, grunting, making funny faces. We have recently discovered fabric tails and you like to wear them out in public :) Wild Krats is your favorite show.
We got our dog Charlie this year and you love to run with her and boss her around.
This year we got a foster baby. You and he are best friends. He always looks for you in the room and you are always the first one to make him laugh when he cries. You are a big helper and never complain when I ask you to do something to help me with him. (Now when I ask you to do something else...that is a different story.)
You are almost always happy and cheerful, even though you throw an occasional tantrum. When you do throw them, they are a doozy. You have started primary at church and you have mostly good days. You have made friends, Joel and Emily in particular.
Your understanding of the world blows me away. You listen and absorb all around you. It usually only takes one lesson for you to learn something and there are many times you pick up concepts all on your own. 
This year you have also started to understand or at least talk about your adoption. You talk about your birth father and mother very causally, like it is normal. I am excited to see you develop a relationship with them.
Arianna, We love you very much and love the little girl you are turning into. Keep loving and being kind. 
Love 
Mom

4 years old

2 Years old