Walking with the Cooks: Happy 4 years, Lydia!

When I think of Lydia, I think of emotion. She is full of joy, full of feeling, full of wonder. Her presence is satisfying. Her snuggles bring comfort. Her antics bring belly laughs. Her serious dancing brings quiet contemplation of how the Lord might use her brightness for His kingdom. This year Lydia has made a leap from toddlerhood to, more often than not, being one of the big kids. In some ways, she has to grow up fast to keep up. In other ways, the big kids care allows her to hang on her to little kids status. Big or little, time is definitely slipping away with this one. We love you watch you grow, Lydia, and love the beautiful little girl you are and are becoming.

Weight: 48.2 lbs (98%)
Height: 41.5 ins (85%)
BMI 99%

Clothing: 4-6T
shoe: size 10/11

Likes: dancing, doing a presentation (like the big kids do for CC), dress up, princesses, puzzles, coloring, helping cook (aka licking the beaters), accessorizing

Dislikes: being rushed

Schedule:
7am Time to come out of her room. After breakfast, she gets ready for the day and plays while we start school.
12:00 Lunch
1:00-3pm Nap (This is 50/50, but she does well wether she sleeps or not. If she does't sleep, she is allowed to read at 2:00.)
3pm The kids play together, often outside.
5:30 Dinner
7pm Bed

Sleep: Lydia is a good sleeper, albeit a little chatty going to bed. Every once and a while she wakes up with a bad dream. Otherwise, she is a consistent sleeper.

Physically: Lydia is quite active and regularly on the move, rarely in a straight line. Even walking through the grocery store she bounces from one side of the aisle to the other, spinning and hopping and singing. Her hair is long and blonde, but getting darker. She has just a little curl at the end.

Food: Lydia is probably the best eater of the Cook kids. She doesn't tend to be picky and is much more focused on the conversation than wether or not she likes what she is eating. When she has sweets she is focused and follows through to the end. It can be messy and comical.

Communication: Lydia is a story teller and full of words, much like her older sister. She bring drama and flare to her storytelling. She still loves to sing.

Fun things:
- Lydia continues to dance through Sunday morning worship, though she has toned it back some and takes more notice of what is happening on stage. I think being tall enough to see over the chairs has helped her be more engaged.
- She has starting preferring showers to baths and no longer shutters in fear at the mention of hair wash night. We spent most of the year discussing days of the week in proximity to Saturday, the dreaded hair wash night.
- In some ways, Lydia seems to be becoming just a little more thoughtful with her words and more prone to listen before she speaks.
- I love that she is tough. When she falls down, she is quick to say "I'm OK," brush herself off, and keep going. It appears to be part of being the little sister and needing to keep up.