five year check up

For some reason, Violet decided she liked getting shots.  It happened when we went to see Dr. Evans for Tyson & Mia's 9 & 7 year check ups.  All 3 of them got flu shots at the end and they took them like total champs.  Violet has always wanted to do what her big siblings were doing so when they were tough about shots, she was determined to be tough with shots.  It became this thing when we left that day that Judd kids weren't afraid of shots.  Violet loves visiting the pediatrician's office and has never minded check ups but in the past she has minded shots.  Not any longer.

Her appointment was scheduled to be about 2 weeks after theirs and she asked me all the time how much longer it was until her "big kid shots".  It helped that we told her she had to have all those shots in order to go to school.  She had neighbor kids telling her shots hurt and they're the worst and she stood firm in the fact that they barely hurt and she liked getting them.

The day came and she was super eager to get dressed and ready for her doctor appointment.  It also happened to be the day of Halloween so she got to wear her bumblebee costume.  She looked absolutely adorable and that made it all the more exciting.

Everyone in the doctor's office went crazy over her and they even took her behind the counter to show off her costume to others.  She ate it up like a ham.  She was her usual talkative funny self when interacting with Dr. Evans and when it came time for the shots, she was such a big girl.  She flinched with each one but never shed a tear.  And when they were over, she hopped up with a smile on her face.

This girl.  She is one determined and brave little thing. So proud to be her momma.

her first day of dance class

Violet had been asking if she could take a dance class for quite awhile and we kept telling her she could when Mia went to school all day.  Well the time finally came and Violet's excitement was through the roof.  It was contagious and beautiful the way her face lit up when we talked about it and the way she asked me how many more days over and over.  Leading up to the big day, we went to Target and bought a new pretty black leotard and sweet sheer pink skirt to go over it.  She wore it all day long the first several days after we brought it home.

 

My Mom was visiting us on the day Violet had been waiting for which made it even sweeter.  She woke up excited and was ready way before time to leave.  She was bouncing off the walls in excitement and it was so fun to watch her glowing with anticipation.  We left early that day and arrived in plenty of time to get her ready.  We found out they would be doing tap first and we were able to buy the appropriate tap shoes right there on the spot which was great.

Her teacher is Ms. Judy and she is older with oodles of patience and wisdom to carry on gracefully with 11 4-5 year olds.  Violet loved her from day one.  Watching her in dance class that day was something I will never forget.  Her smile was lighting up the room and it was breathtaking.  I teared up a few times and was beyond proud at her courageous and joyful spirit in class that day.  She did everything as she was supposed to and hung on to Ms. Judy's every word while also observing her peers intently to make sure she was doing the right thing.

She ran out of that room with the biggest smile on her face so eager to show Grandma and I the stamps she received on both hands.  It was precious.  I was so proud of her and so emotional that we were even at this point with her.  As we left and I got her buckled in her carseat, I broke down and the tears came.  I had just experienced one of the last firsts with our baby girl.  It was amazing but so bittersweet.  I desperately wished I could rewind just a few days and experience all of her emotions leading up to that day all over again.

She still loves Ms. Judy and her dance class but that initial excitement has of course worn off.  She has made a few new friends from her class and tells me everything she learned about them in class as we drive home.  I am incredibly proud of her and the way she tackles new things with eagerness and joy, the way she makes new friends so easily and the way she listens and respects her teachers. And my heart nearly bursts when she remembers to thank her teacher on the way out of class without a reminder from me.

a zoo date

I decided to keep Mia home from Kindergarten for a beautiful spring day so I could spend it with the whole day with these two again.  She was a bit unsure at first since school is her favorite thing but she agreed a day with Violet and I would be fun.  

We spent our day at the zoo and it was one of the sweetest days.  They had to wear their panda shirts so they could match.

The weather was amazing and they were sweet as can be.  One of those days where they were just happy to be together.

We even got to ride the carousel which is always a good thing.

They insist on sitting on the rhinos and getting a picture for every zoo visit.

We packed our lunch and picnicked at the zoo.  We spent about 4 hours there and it felt like we saw every single animal there.

We left the zoo that day with tired legs and full hearts.

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baby rides a two wheeler

We had some unseasonably warm days this winter and Violet had been asking Jason to take off her training wheels for months so he finally did one warm day in February.  

He had given her some time without the pedals too just as we did with the others to give her a chance to learn the balance aspect.  She mastered that pretty quick and was ready to try the real deal.

With some pushes from Daddy and encouragement from us both, she didn't take long to completely master it.

 It wasn't even very long after that she was starting and stopping on her own. And just like that, we had another two wheel bike rider in the family.  It would be the last time we watched the magic of learning to ride on two wheels.  

She has always been trying to keep up with those big kids and she doesn't stay too far behind.  A determined and strong little thing, she fights until she figures something out.  She does not mess around and I love that about her.

dear violet

Dear Violet, 

I can't get enough of you.  I never will.  I love the little girl you are becoming.  I am trying so hard to soak all of you up.  

You are four years old now and full of life.  You can be so easy going one minute and the next minute, we aren't sure what is going on.  You love to be cuddled but you love your independence, you want to pick out your own clothes one day and the next you tell me to, giraffes are your favorite animal one day and turtles the next, you color  me a picture and within the hour, you have given it away to 3 others, you say you're hungry and want breakfast and then take one bite of cereal and go play.

I am pretty sure that Daddy and your bubba are your very favorite people in all the world.  But you're pretty crazy about me and your sisters too.  If you kiss, hug, or cuddle Daddy, you make sure to give me an equal amount of lovin' and vice versa.  You love to cuddle during books and movies.  Being the baby, you always get the prime lap spot and you love it.  You play up your "baby" role as much as possible and we all just let you.  I don't think any of us are ready for you to grow up.  

But ready or not, you are turning into a big girl and there is nothing we can do to stop it.  We do preschool and you seem to already know so many things that I try to teach you and I didn't even realize.  I guess you are taking in everything around you and only let it out in your own good timing.

You already have ideas about your future babies.  You talk about saving outfits and toys for them and at four years old, you already have a certain order planned for those who get to hold your baby in the hospital.  You are so my kid.

You eat up any attention and you get plenty of it.  You love putting on shows for us by yourself and with Mia.  Sometimes you let Mia run the show and other times, you totally run things.  You love to dance around pretending to be a ballerina and make up your own songs.  Your Bible story re-tellings are my favorite, so dramatic, descriptive, and awesome.

You love going to the dentist and asked me to make you another appointment right after your last one was over.  You still suck your thumb a lot so orthodontics are definitely in your future.

You haven't been taking naps for awhile, but you will fall asleep in the car often on the way home from taking Mia to school.  Those country roads just lure you right to sleep.  There have been two times that I carried you in, forgot about my to-do list, and laid down on the couch with you where we would drift off together.  Those moments were so special to me and I was very aware that our days are numbered for that kind of sweetness.

You are such a lovable little thing.  Sometimes, I just want to hug you and never, ever let go.  

You sure have ended this Judd baby show with a bang.  So thankful for you.  Forever my baby girl. 

I love you like crazy Violet Marie.  

Happy 4th Birthday.

Momma

xoxo 

violet turned 4

We had been in our new home less than a month but it seemed like it was Violet's year to have a little party.  It was just family, simple and sweet but with a theme.  Rainbows.  Our girl loves rainbows and so does her Momma so it seemed like the right thing to do.  My favorite part was her special birthday dress.  The fabric was dreamy but when she put it on, it was as if she was glowing.  It was perfect for her and she loved it.

I had all four color some little rainbows for easy and pretty party decor.  They love being a part of all the planning so this gave them a great project and its as so fun seeing all their different versions of a rainbow.

She was so happy to be having a party just for her and could not stop asking how much longer.

Her favorite part might have been that her baby cousin, Xavier came.  He got a lot of her attention and it was precious.

Aunt Beth will always stop to read books to the kids and they love it.

Our sweet baby girl was so tired by the end but it was very clear she felt the love.

And miraculously, we had a family photo taken where everyone actually looked the same direction.

Tia gave her a doll that used to be hers and Violet was thrilled.

I found a mini rainbow piñata at Target that the kids and their cousins were pumped about.  It was a bit dangerous putting a bat in her little hands but there were no major mishaps so we all survived.

Tia made the most beautiful rainbow cake for the party.  It was completely perfect.

She is the sweetest little thing.  I loved watching her so excited and happy with all the celebrating.  She could not wait to get a bite of that cake!

It's so hard to figure out a special present for your fourth child and third girl.  We already had ALL the girls things when she came into this world so we have to get creative.  When an employee of Jason's handed down a fun "grocery store" to us, we thought that would be great to present to her as a birthday gift.

She loved it.

Big sister wrapped up her old jewelry box filled with special notes and verses for Violet.  It was super sweet.

There is nothing like people coming together to celebrate your baby with you.  Although I desperately wished we were celebrating her actual birth rather than her fourth birthday, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for her little life and all the joy and sweetness that comes along with it.