Where to begin? Well, since these congratulations are most assuredly attended by a great deal of hooplah, I can only imagine you are either currently upset or were when we all cheered for you a second ago. You like attention... until you have it. It is hard to reward you the regular ways. If you get caught doing something right, you get just as grouchy as if you got caught doing something naughty. You don't mind drawing everyone's attention to yourself, but don't like being made the center of attention when you didn't see it coming or ask for it.
There are few things in the world you love more than your Chewy and your Puppy. And yet, in typical kid fashion, you frequently find yourself about to go to bed without your most treasured possessions. That said, if you are allowed to get back out of bed, you often remember exactly where you left them.
I said just a second ago that there are few things you love more than Chewy and Puppy, but there are... and those two things are Hug/Kiss.
You love you some hugs and kisses and often ask for them, even immediately after just receiving them. Many nights when I'm tucking you into bed you will ask for a hug and kiss and after leaning over into your crib to hug you and leaving a kiss on your cheek, you immediately cry out, "Hug/Kiss! Hug/Kiss!" Sometimes, admittedly, I find myself asking you, "What do you think I just did?"
I dunno, maybe it's me. Maybe I'm doing it wrong? Or maybe you're just stalling. :)
While Hug/Kiss and Chewy & Puppy may be your faves, next on the list is Pizza Night! You love Pizza Night and often ask if today is Pizza Night. And you know that if it's Pizza Night, it's also Ice Cream night. You love and look forward to our weekly celebration of the Land of Milk and Honey and even join in our Deuteronomy 6 catechism.
You love Julian Smith videos and always join in on the, "I made this for you!" part at the end of the videos. You don't walk around the house saying, "Just Do It!" as much anymore, however. I miss those days. You, in your diaper, doing your best Shia Labeouf impression.
You like rice. No, I mean, you really like rice. Like, you would eat just rice if we let you and often serve you a plate of food to find that you've eaten only the rice. That's how much you like rice.
You are equal parts immovable object and unstoppable force. You are persistent and resilient. If you have set your mind to do (or not do) something; there is nothing that can stop (or start) you. You are indomitable. You do not give up. You dig in. Even at great discomfort and difficulty to your self, you stay the course. This kind of faith is what keeps people at their posts even through the watches of the night. This kind of determination is also what wakes me up many nights to provide you with your customary Hug/Kiss tax.
You have both chunky buns and iron buns. Chunky in that you have some heft to you and iron in that they are tough. Because you are such a dominating personality, you often need to be shown a more excellent way, but between your extra cushion and extra commitment to your whims, you often don't feel the full weight of correction.
But you are growing. You may be the first Van Voorst to make her two's terrible. Most typically wait until they are three-nagers, but perhaps you were excited to hop to it and got it all out of your system already. Maybe? Hopefully? :)
You are also one of the first Van Voorsts to fit into clothes that match your age. Instead of too tall to be in the previous size, but not wide enough to fill it out, you are right on schedule.
You love your Lissy and like playing with her just as much as you like competing with her. If Lissy hugs me, you are. If Lissy sits by me, you have to. You look up to her and like following in her footsteps. You, her, and Ophelia are going to be quite the force to be reckoned with. Whoever decides to cross you three sisters while quickly wish that they hadn't.
You are a sweet girl and like saying, "Love you, Dad!" You like saying, "Thank you," and are very articulate when you feel like it.
You love sitting on Atticus' lap during TV time before dinner. You like to cuddle your big brother.
You like having your hair in a pony and like wearing hats you find around the house, especially if there's a mirror around. You like the way you look and I do too. It's nice to agree with you. Not as much fun to be at odds with though :)
Happy Birthday, Juni. Here's to many more. I am excited about who you are and who you're becoming. I look forward to seeing what three year old Juni will make her own, 'cause rest assured, whatever it is, you will own it.
Love you,
Dad
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