5

Ryann,
I have loved your 4th year of life immensely. I love watching you with your friends, at School, at Church, at AWANAs, at Ballet. I often arrive early at these places to pick you up...just to watch you. You love well, Ryann...Unabashedly, Extravagantly, Fiercely. It doesn't matter who the person is, how old they are, what they look like, where they come from, you instantly want to be their friend. I often describe you as aggressively friendly, but I need to change that because that term sounds way too negative because the love you show, my dear, is a love to emulate. You teach us so much everyday. We love you more than words could possibly express. Happy 5th Birthday, dear one.

Ryann and Her Palm Branch

Ryann sang in church yesterday. It was Palm Sunday. She loved her Palm branch and wanted to make sure it stayed right where it was supposed to be. I thought this was so funny, because I see so much of myself in her, especially as she straightens the palm branch over and over again. I especially love when the little boy has enough of the singing and exits stage right. It was like Ryann was saying, "Oh no, he didn't just mess up my Palm branch." :) I wanted to say to her, it is Okay. Things don't have to be just right all the time...but she has a lifetime to learn that, I am still learning that. Right now, I will let her love her Palm branch.
I love this age so much.