My sweet girl,

You only gave me three and a half minutes in the garden. And I didn’t think we got anything good, but when I went through the photos I realized that they perfectly capture you in this moment. You are silly and witty and enthusiastic and wiggly and smart and social. You are a total ham and we love you.

Some of your favorite things include carrying Mochi around Boppy and Grandma’s house, sticker collage, o’s cereal with honey, fresh fruit, and milk (in that order!), your friend Flora, watching Octonauts, riding your bike, going on trips, legos, puzzles, sharks, and mermaids. You love collecting feathers and shells and words that rhyme. And you love to read.

I love how earnest you are. And how when you’re excited about something, you’ll tell anyone who will listen. And if you’re really excited your voice will go down an octave and your eyes will get wide and you’ll bounce up and down while you tell us, just like a puppy.

You were disenchanted with the clothes in your closet until your grandma appliquéd tropical fish on them. You’ll wear anything with a fish on it. You are a fish and have been since you were in utero. I love the joy you get from moving your body in the water—it's the same joy that your mother and your grandmother and your great grandmother feel in water. And I am so proud of you for learning how to swim the summer you were still three.

You love red bell peppers and green beens and salad and apples. We went berry picking at a farm and you fell in love with a roly poly (also known as a pill bug, which you would tell us is a terrestrial crustacean) and when it was time to go you chose to leave it in a bed of leaves and then cried all the way home because you missed your friend. You hardly ever cry, except when you need a release. And you are a good friend.

You tell us you know everything—and you do know a lot of things—but I hope you stay always stay this excited about the natural world.

We could not love or enjoy you more and we’re so so glad you’re ours.