4.5

We officially have a 4 1/2 year old residing in our home. This is big stuff, people. That "1/2" added onto her age makes Jillian REALLY proud, and you won't hear her state her age without that level of specificity.

Speaking of specifics, here are a few more to highlight Jillian at this stage....

-Emotions are a hot topic these days. We talk a lot about what it means to be angry, happy, sad, scared, and we have some children's books that she likes to read (they also happen to have them at school). One day we were in the car and she got the sense I was upset about something, though I can't remember now what the context was. She asked if I was angry, and I told her that I was feeling frustrated and angry. Then she cheerily piped in, "Mom, remember what the book said. Those angry feelings won't last forever!" She also wants definitions for just about everything--"Mom, what does 'disapprove' mean?" or "What is honest again?" And then she likes to test her knowledge by using them in context--"Mom, did you appreciate it when I picked up the toys?" (yes, yes I did.)

-Her new favorite word is "redonkulous". Yep. She used to say "buh-diculous" for ridiculous, but now we just go all out and say "redonkulous".

-She loves to create games and play schemes for she and Adrienne. Unfortunately for Adrienne, those often involve some level of servitude or potential danger on her part. I can't seem to convince Jillian that Adrienne doesn't need something tied around her neck to effectively be a dog, despite my best efforts to encourage the "leash" to be worn around the waist. Other recent scenarios included the two of them riding in three airplanes (sitting on the bottom steps) in princess outfits and going to Hilton Head, "Souf Carowina", playing in a boat (large blanket on the floor), and using a map (some catalog that came in the mail) to find treasures. She is creative, and certainly passionately enthusiastic about her ideas.

-This kid loves her some "cool crafts" (art projects). She is always excited about whatever art they made in art class at school (recently we've been gifted with a pipe cleaner sculpture, a pinch pot, and a lesson on Picasso at the dinner table) and can be found going through more paper, stickers, markers, glue, crayons, what have you, than I can keep stocked. She is very intentional about her drawings, often recreating memories (plane rides, Hawaii, days at "the big mall with Daddy, garden growing) with great accuracy and an astonishing level of detail.

-Jillian craves routines--from what she has for breakfast (always Cheerios) to the blanket she uses on the couch, to the sequence of the bedtime routine. Predictability is important to her (wonder where she gets that??) unless you are going to offer her some awesome treat or surprise, and then she's all game for spontaneity.

She is sharp as a tack, sweet as sugar, busy as a bee, stubborn as a mule, and has a heart of gold. Jillian brings so much joy to our family, and to everyone she meets.

Celebrating the official half-birthday mark with her selected treat--Bomb Pops!  She is so desperate for summer and has a memory of eating a Bomb Pop somewhere last year, so nothing else would do. Yes, she is wearing pajamas. No, this was not at breakfast. My 4 1/2 year old rolls like her mom--pajamas at all hours of the day while in the house!