Happy Birthday Snuggle Buddy

*** Note to those who think that I may be playing favorites in this post, well it was Nicole's birthday, not the other two. Tyler and 'she who shall not be named' (trust me, you wouldn't like her when she's angry) will get a post in April. So go pound sand. ***

I am scared to death of girls. More specifically I am terrified of my girls. Having no sisters (unless you count Jim. Har!) growing up, I didn't realize how crazy girls can be and I also didn't realize that you can't treat them the same way as you can boys.

I guess it's no secret that I sort of like my oldest daughter. A lot. I tell people all of the time that little girl lights up my world. I can't help but smile whenever I see her. I think her sole goal is to make me (and Kristi) laugh. She is the sneakiest, cutest, funniest, brilliant (who knew?) aggravating child in the world. And I love her to death for it. She lies to us all the time (she has been getting a lot better at telling the truth actually, so that's a bonus) and usually for no apparent reason. The problem is, she'll lie to us, or not pay attention to us, or do something else to get in trouble, and then she gives you this look, furrows her brow, says she's sorry and then starts making faces at you until you laugh. And you will laugh. There is no way around it.

She decided long ago that she and I are snuggle buddies, best friends, and that she is going to marry me when she grows up. She calls me little boy because I call her little girl. She sneaks into our bed at night just so she can snuggle up to me and sleep better. She tells me all of the time how much she loves me and how much I make her laugh, and how we'll always be best friends.

My little girl is now 5 years old. I am not sure how that happened, and I am not sure how am I am going to deal with her in 5, 10 and 15 years. Just know that she is a daddy's girl, and if you ever mess with her, well, you get to deal with me (and I am sure her grandpas and uncles would also like to step in). I haven't figured out what happens when she messes with me though.....

I guess we have come a long way from the infant child that wouldn't smile for anything, and wanted nothing to do with snuggling anyone or anything. The girl, while she is definitely playing this world according to her own rules, loves to get close to those the cares about and can be an absolute sweetheart.

Happy birthday snuggle buddy. Hey little girl, let's eat some cookie dough, snuggle on the couch tonight, and watch Wall-E so I can hear you laugh that infectious, hilarious laugh of yours. It is truly one of the greatest joys in life, seeing your kids in that moment when all is right in their world. I think it's because it makes me realize that they (along with my hot wife) are my world, even though I probably don't show them nearly enough how much they mean to me.