Age 4

I am *really* loving age 4. I mean, I've enjoyed Audrey at every age, but she is such a neat person to know. Intelligent, witty, charming, thoughtful, loving, endearing. Still strong-willed and dramatic. But I love those aspects, too. Her brother adores her. She makes friends everywhere she goes. Curious. Entertaining. I get asked at work for some good "Audrey stories".

She stopped napping when she turned 4, and now loves being called an "expert fall-asleeper". Never thought I would say that about Audrey! She does still wake sometimes during the night to ask to be covered up. (One night, a loooooonnng night in which the kids were ganging up on us and one kept waking up after another, Audrey called me in her room one last time, to let me know she was going to fall asleep now! But, I digress...) So, while Ian naps, she and I hang out, often cooking, or playing a game, or snuggling on the couch. I love it. She talks my ear off. Sometimes will jokingly ask for a moment of quiet (guess who she hears that from?). And I can always give her one! Or more!

She loves watching a PBS show called Super Why. Ian loves it, too. It's a great show which teaches literacy. Yesterday morning, when I came downstairs, ready to head to work, she and Ian were hanging out in their pjs, anticipating their day at home with Eric. Super Why was on, and I noticed that Audrey and Ian were right up by the tv. (Sorry Grandpa S, they were indeed too close to the screen!) I noticed that Ian was holding out his finger, waiting for Audrey to guide his hand to the right letter on the screen. Which of course she did. Repeatedly. I'm tearing up again just thinking about it. How thoughtful this little girl is. No wonder Ian adores her.

Of course I mentioned to her soon after how good of a big sister she is, and how proud of her I am, "Yeah, yeah, mom." Mumbled under her breath.

Never a dull moment with our red head!