1.your keen sense of fashion and explanations for what “matches”

2. your ridiculously and suddenly rationale explanations for why we should do what you say

3. the way you love to run and jump around in boy fashion dressed in all girl fashion

4. your kindess to ones smaller then you

5. your shyness in new situations

6. when you burst from that shy shell to put yourself out there and try to make friends

7. that you are a momma and daddy’s girl all roled into one

8. your ability to be thrilled at the tiniest event or errand, “Yay!!!! It’s home day!” “Yay, we’re going to the market!”

9. that you prefer french salt, english scones, donuts, kefir, whole-milk plain yogurt, Kashi cereal, prime rib, pink gelatos, cereal bars, gummies, pops (lollies), quesadilla and little trees to just about anything else

10. your insistence that eating a popsicle will make any boo-boo better.

11. your need to wear band-aids as body art

12. your love of all things ordinary: the park, the market, the library, school, the doctor and dentist, tubby-time and weeknight restaurant treats

13. that you and your sister have matching laughs

14. how you like to have your and your sister’s outfits match

15. how easily you fell in love with the role of big sister

16. your funny interpretations of words like keep-saving, seat-cart, stister

17. your strawberry blonde hair

18. your knock-knock joke telling, story reading and brief but exuberant dance and singing recitals in our kitchen

19. your reminders of what a good girl you are! (Look, Momma: I don’t spill! I brushed my teeth! I pooped in the potty! I listened to my body! I listened to my teacher! I was a good friend! I colored on the paper! I didn’t have a fit!

20. your curious and kind nature

21. your exuberance