Toddler

One of the best things I did when you were a toddler was to create a Youtube Channel where I could take video files of you doing ridiculously cute things and I could then send an email to your grandmothers and great-grandmother so they could watch you grow up.  They all loved it.  I always tried to send pictures and videos of you to them regularly.  I have shown you the videos over and over, and I love looking at them over and over, myself.  It just reminds me of how much fun I had with you as you grew.

Facebook allows me to reminisce of all the places we have been and all the fun we have had together.  I cannot help but smile, whenever I look at a collection of pictures or videos of you.

You have always been a happy, playful, sweet girl.  Your smile lights up a room and your striking dark hair and eyes and beautiful face would instantly have people drawn to you.  So you got plenty of attention wherever we went and you were sweet to those who played with you, young and old.

You were born with an AMAZING head of black hair, that has turned lighter as the years go on.  We joked that you were the daughter of Elvis Presley, a popular singer from the 1950’s who was famous for his big head of hair.

Your sister Rian is the BEST sister you can ever have, and she played with you and loved you so much.  She did so much for you when you were little, that you probably don’t remember.

This was the age where we used to walk down Washington Street, past what used to be Graffiti Junxtion, past Mr. Jay’s hair salon, past Dexter’s and past what used to be Wildside, for most of the time you lived there.  Now Graffiti has moved into where Wildside was.  We’ve eaten there a few times, but when you were a toddler, we had many grilled cheese and french fried meals at the original location.  We would usually end up there after going to your FAVORITE place, the Lake Eola Playground.

I always loved watching you play there.  I loved watching you interact with other kids.  You have always been very social, very sociable.  You always look to find and meet new friends.  Most of the time you do find new friends who instantly like you, because you are sweet, fun, respectful and positive.  You don’t bring up things that would make people sad.  You were there to have fun!  Make up games and stories and run around!  It’s a playground!  Let’s play!  Sometimes, you would try to be friends with two girls who knew each other.  They would be in their own world and you wanted to play with them.  So you wouldn’t get included in their world and you would be disappointed.  But you and I would talk through it and realize that they weren’t being mean, they didn’t dislike you, they were just like you and Jade or you and Sharli when you played together.  They were busy “betending” (pretending) and they just didn’t know you.  You handled it very well and went on to finding another new friend.

I always made sure that you spent time with friends and family, as much as possible. I wanted you to know my mom, Grandma Kitty, and I wanted her to know you as well.  So I have done whatever I can to get you to Cleveland for Christmas every year and at least one time during the Summer, so you can see my family and your cousins, Owen, Grace and Quin.

Everyone in Cleveland loves you so much and they love to spend time with you.  Your Cousin Owen is your FAVORITE and he loves you so much.  You and Grace and Quin have had fun making art and playing games.  They are always happy to talk to you and see you.  Grandpa Fred, “Grandpa Santa” loves to see you whenever you are in town.  Grandma Kitty loves to travel here to see you, too.

When your cousins, Jade and Eden, and Aunt Ashley and Uncle Al lived in Orlando, I loved getting you all together.  Edie was pretty young, so you played with Jade and she just LOVED her older cousin McKenna and still does!  You would play together at their house in Orlando and you slept over there often.  Cousin time is the BEST!