The Curly Monster

Every once in a while, I get hit with a wave of nostalgia and recognize how insanely fast my kids are growing up.  Drama occasionally does something, or gives me a certain look that throws me for a loop as I recognize the adult in her tip-toeing out. Mischief as well, but with Mischief - it is different.  Some of the things she does are definitely "big girl" things - she likes computers and video games and is reading well.  She has grown taller and her hair longer.  She enjoys school and her friends and recently performed in her first ballet recital.

But it is what HASN'T changed in Mischief that I cherish the most. . .

She is fearless and strong and independent.  She firmly believes in herself, has no doubts and twirls in her dreams without concern of what others think.

She still ranks snuggling as one of her favorite things, refusing to get ready for day until she has her dose of "morning snuggles"

She quickly tells Drama that she loves her - without thought to the bossiness of which her big sister is quite capable.

She loves to give her toys away - to her sister, to her parents, to her friends.  To any random person who comes by (yes. . .our plumber occasionally leaves with a stuffed animal).

She just as easily gives out compliments to others.  "You are beautiful, mommy."  "You are so smart, Drama", "Daddy can fix anything because he is awesome."  She has not yet learned to pass out compliments like trading cards - only in response to one given to her.

She still laughs easily, loudly and with wild abandon.

She makes faces at the camera and then cracks up to see them.  She tells jokes and can't make it to the punch line because she finds all of life so hysterical.

She blooms with eyes sparkling and crazy curls framing her face no matter how we start the morning with them tamed.

She is growing up - of that I have no doubts.  And I also do not doubt that when she hits the teen years, she will not spare me from the snotty attitude and angst that comes standard with puberty.  But I pray that her wild heart will always beat in her own rhythm, that her dance will always be on this side of funky and the sunshine she radiates will never fully be blocked out by the night of life's realities.

She is my little mischief, my curly monster.