Melissa 7 months old
Since Melissa was born I have definitely enjoyed being an aunt. She being the first niece or nephew I have had was the first to win a place in my heart. I have greatly enjoyed watching her grow up. This picture was of her at 7 months of age hard to believe she is the same person.
Yesterday was her 4th birthday. In addition to coming to her birthday party on Sunday I was also able to go with her and my mother in law Patti to Build a Bear for her final birthday present. She got a very pretty white pony with gold hooves, a pink dress and of course a necklace. When we were in Build a Bear therewas another girl who was about Melissa’s height who had trouble doing anything the woman assisting her make her dog said. She was just so incredibly shy. By no means does Melissa qualify as shy. She followed directions exactly to make this pony strong, nice and full of love before she put its heart inside with the stuffing. I was running around with Tony and things took much longer than planned and Melissa was waiting for me to come for two and a half hours. I did not know where we were going otherwise I may have been able to speed things up. She did this patiently and with little complaint. So many times I need to remind myself that she is just four.
After going to Build a Bear Melissa, Patti and I stopped at Target to eliminate a shopping list and although there was nothing fun on the list for a four year old she kept herself busy the whole time singing songs, counting items in the cart and on the shelf, and pretending she was going somewhere with her new pony. She asked to look at the toy isle and told us what she wanted for her next birthday. We left without another toy with no problems.
Before we went to Build a Bear Melissa and I were changing clothes on some 2 inch plastic girl toys and she told me what color each girl likes better and which umbrella goes witheach outfit. I really enjoy the time I spend with Melissa although I like that she is well behaved there is just so much more to it. She is so full of love and energy and she pours it out on everyone.
