Happy Fourth Birthday, Arianna!

Arianna is four years old today! We can hardly believe it! She is such a smart, beautiful, funny, happy little girl.
She was so excited for her Birthday she was up at 5:45 am. I said "Happy Birthday" to her first thing and she said, "I am going to love this day!" She was so delighted to see the Birthday sign and balloons and presents.
I wanted to write just a little bit about Arianna. She was such a good baby; always so happy, a great sleeper, and always able to soothe herself with her beloved thumb.

The day she was born.

She has always adored her big sister (and vice-verse) and they are the best of friends. They hardly know what to do with themselves if the other one is gone!

Emma looking in on her new little sister.

They love playing together!

Here are the two of them together just last month.

Arianna on her 1st Birthday

Arianna on her 2nd Birthday

Arianna's 3rd Birthday!

Arianna 3 1/2 year old- this picture is so Arianna.

For Kenneth's Birthday, in November, Arianna decided she was going to stop sucking her thumb during the day. We were so proud of her! We are amazed at her will to do something once she sets her mind to it. She still sucked at night time though, and when asked when she was going to stop sucking at night she would say, "when I am a mom." Needless to say, we thought the night-time thumb sucking would continue for a very long time! But, she again decided on her own last week that she was going to stop at night time. We helped her remember during the night for the first few days by putting a mitten on the hand she usually sucks on, but now, she will tell us in the morning that she just forgot to suck in the night! What a relief to us that she is done with that! Her determination and will are truly amazing - something we pray will be a huge strength to her throughout her life.

Arianna decided she did not want a big party with friends, so we are celebrating at home with just the five of us. She really prefers to just spend time with her closest friends - her family. We had a special Birthday Breakfast today and opened a couple of presents this morning. We will do some more celebrating at lunch time.

Here is her Birthday Interview:

How old are you today? "4"

What is your favorite animal? "Dinosaur"

What is your favorite color? "Black" (last year it was yellow- the pendulum doth swing, eh? We're hoping it's black because of her favorite black dance outfit she loves to wear lately!)

What is your favorite food? "Cake"

What is your favorite treat? "Brownie, actually, ice-cream"

What kind of ice-cream? "Umm, mint"

What is your favorite book? "When the bug went Kah-choo"

What do you want to be when you grow up? "An acrobat! Um, actually a farmer - because I want to live on a farm. Because I want to ride a horse - a black horse."

Who loves you the most? "Ah Daddy" {Mom's disclaimer- Dad was the one asking the question, otherwise she would have said me!}
Emma "That's not right. There is someone else that loves you even more."
Arianna "Um, Mommy."
Emma "No!"
Arianna "Grandpa Pilz?"
Emma "No, not someone who died." Then (whispering in Arianna's ear) "There is someone who loves you even more"
Arianna "Jesus"
Emma "Yes, that's right!"
Note: This exchange was quite comical - we're going to have to start videoing these interviews.

Arianna "This is taking too long."

What is your favorite time of the day? "When I can open my presents"
Mom "What about a normal day?"
Arianna "No, let's not talk about that."
Note: At this point, Arianna is really ready to move on and eat or open presents.

What is your favorite activity? "Playing Candy Land with you, Daddy."

Arianna "This is taking too long."

So, Arianna, since you are 4 years old and you stopped sucking your thumb, how do you feel? "Happy! I want you to take a picture of my thumb!"

Not sure how long it will take for the callus to go away, but at least the crack that was in it a week ago is healing!

Here are the pictures of the morning celebration:
Breakfast: Cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs (we add flaxseed meal, in case you are wondering why they look funny), and a special Birthday Caterpillar who decided to visit.

Grant and Arianna couldn't wait to eat the raspberries!

Cinderella and carriage from mom and dad. Can you tell she was delighted?! After she opened it she said, "I love it! You got me just what I wanted!"

Pajamas from Grandma Pilz

We'll post pictures from the rest of the day later, but we wanted everyone to know earlier in the day that it's Arianna's Birthday!!!!