This Girl

This girl is capturing so much of my attention these days as she is transitioning into such a big girl right before my eyes.

She still loves to lay on her dad anytime he is in the room.  They have a bond that is solid and unshakable.  But, with this growing up she's doing, "mom" has been more important in her life.  She cuddles and snuggles on me too now, and that's really different!

She wants to learn to read so desperately.  Every day is full of new questions and discoveries as the mystery unravels in her mind.  We are on the brink of something big here...

She plays more cooperatively with her brother than ever before.  She is a master at reading other people and will negotiate with Evan when she feels him getting frustrated.  Lots of deal-making and turn-taking initiated by her!  This is incredible progress.

Her new church coat is super soft and sparkly (although you can't see all the golden flecks in the photo) and exactly what she wanted.  A real, fancy, "big girl" coat.

Not one to be outdone by anyone, even someone three years older than herself, Chloe is practicing her knotting skills daily.  She's moved on to level three (for us) -- candy stripe bracelets -- with feverish intensity.  Put a challenge in front of this girl and she won't stop till she overcomes.

She's going places, this girl.  Big places.