Audrey amazes us each and every day. She knows so many songs by heart! The oddest song will come on Pandora and she will start belting it out...word for word! Sometimes she misunderstands some of the words and inserts her own words, but it makes the song even cuter! She remembers EVERYTHING! You could say something so simple just ONCE and it sticks with her. Obviously this is a good thing but as you can imagine works against us sometimes. (sigh..) For example, one time I was on the phone with my Aunt Barb. When I got off of the phone she asked who I was talking to. I told her "crazy aunt Barb" so now guess what Aunt Barb is....crazy!! But a good kind of Crazy :)
This summer she totally shocked us when she showed how much she loves high heights, roller coasters, and going fast on the jet ski while tubing. There are times when I think she is absolutely fearless but will get the jitters when she is put on the spot and hesitates to follow through. She is very honest and will do things to humor us but is very clear when she is "done".
How silly were we to think Audrey would have a hard time adjusting to preschool! When we met with her teacher for our first parent/teacher conference she raved about Audrey and how all of the kids love her and how she is so sweet, out going, caring, smart, and kind. I almost burst into tears I was so proud of her! She excels in the classroom and really has exceeded all of our expectations. She loves to lead prayer at school and is beyond excited to tell us all about God and the bible lesson from the current week. She talks about her friends all of the time and can tell me what their full name is, who their mommy/daddy is, if they have any brothers or sisters, and if they have any pets and if the pets are itty bitty or really BIG. She is very animated when she speaks and her hand gestures and facial expressions are beyond comical.
She is able to follow and recite many of the responses/prayers in church. She totally caught us off guard one night recently when she started describing (in great detail) how Jesus was born. She participates in the childrens liturgy at church and is a local celebrity within St. Joan of Arc because people know exactly who she is from watching her grow and mature over the last 4 years. It's a good feeling when people know you as "Audreys' mom/dad" and we get that quite a bit...
The best times with her are when we rock out to music in the car on the way to school every morning..yes every morning! She knows her artists too. When I went to a concert a few weeks ago I told her who I saw, and when they come on the radio she will tell me how I saw them sing and that next time she is going! We watch quite a bit of CMT and she knows the videos and the singers sometimes before we do.
The moments that just melt my heart are at night while reading her books and saying prayers. I will always close with "good night and don't let the bed bugs bite!" She says "good night mommy...don't let daddy bite you!" (I swear I don't make this stuff up!). She loves going to ballet and her favorite part is watching the older girls practice. She watches with such admiration and awe. She will be able to start pre-ballet next year at the age of 5 and is beyond excited! I remember the days when I would shudder at the thought of taking her shopping with me but now it is a dream! She especially likes to scan the items in the self checkout and punching the buttons on the key pad of the credit card reader. A moment that recently stole my heart was on Christmas Eve. While Anderson was napping we played tea party. She put on her fluffy pink dress and sat like a little lady while we talked, had tea, and ate crackers. Again, her honesty is something else.
I took this video so I would remember exactly what she is like at this age. I hope to remember to do this every year around her birthday. It will be fun to look back at these as she gets older!
She is so outgoing and friendly. While car shopping one evening, she gave the salesman a hug when he said hi to her and asked her her name. She loves our evening/weekend babysitter Katie and always pretends to talk to her on Andersons fake cell phone. Oh I can only imagine what she is going to be like when she is a teenager! Lord help us!!
She is our eyes and ears on the ground...and I mean that. She doesn't play favorites...at least not yet! We have tried hard to teach her the difference between being a tattle and being a good friend. I think she is getting the hang of it but sometimes slips up and it usually is not in my favor :(. She was quick to throw me under the bus recently when I cursed out loud in the car when a crazy lady driver honked her horn at me on the way to school one morning. Audrey still tells the story and it happened weeks ago! She also ratted me out to Ben when I complained about his snow sticks one morning when I "bumped" them with my car. She is also quick to report if her brother is splashing around in the toliet or climbing on/breaking/or throwing something he shouldn't. She is a great big sister and I love watching her with her "buddy". She loves greeting him in the morning with me which usually is a chant..."An-der-son...An-der-son...An-der-son!". She is beyond excited when I bring Anderson with me to pick her up from school. She is so proud of her brother.
One more thing that I did for Audrey (and I totally stole this idea from a TV commerical last year) is set up her own email address so we or family/friends can email her little messages throughout the years. When she is old enough to manage her own email, her in box will hopefully be full! So for reference...her email address is audrey.geletka@gmail.com. So please feel free to drop her messages anytime she happens to come to mind!
Audrey, I never could have imagined how much I would/could love you. I'm not even sure what to write right now! Everything that is in my heart...well I tell you every day! I tell you how much I love you, how precious and wonderful you are, how beautiful and smart and perfect you are. I tell you these things because I want you to have so much self-confidence that no one will ever be able to tear you down. I tell you these things because they are true...every single time I look at you, I feel an overwhelming rush of love. You are my dream come true :)
Your dad and I have so many hopes and dreams for you and are so proud of the little lady you ARE! We hope you achieve whatever your little heart desires because you deserve the very best. Four years ago, we received a promotion of a lifetime when we were blessed as your parents. Thank you Audrey for being the person you are....we are looking forward to watching you grow for the rest of our lives!
Happy Birthday Audrey!!!
A daughter brings a special joy
That comes from deep inside,
And as she grows to womanhood
She fills your heart with pride.
The love she gives so freely
Is a rare and beautiful gift.
She brings the sunshine right indoors
And gives your heart a lift.
With every busy, happy year
She’s dearer than before,
Through every stage… through every age,
You love her more and more......
