Things happen in three's. I think so anyway, so maybe thats why they do- good or bad. My life is pretty uneventful, and I mean that in a good way. It's full of love and life, and everything just goes as it should. I've recently been witness to three events which have shaken things up a bit for me, and really hammered home some important messages and feelings. I'm very much a talk the talk but not so much walk the walk kind of person. I'm trying to change that. It also happens I have three (gorgeous! mental!) children who I would do anything for. One of those babies is turning 4, and I couldn't be prouder of her. Not for turning 4...! But for who she is, and who she is becoming. These recent life events have been a time for me to reflect on my life, and the things I need to do to be a more positive influence on my children, as well as for myself.

Eloise is my little fire cracker, she always has been. I know she will go far in life, nothing will get in her way. This hasn't always been easy for me to come to terms with, when she was younger she would have me in floods of tears with her shear stubborness, her explosive tantrums, and her enduring stamina. I couldn't see past the tears then, I thought there was obviously something wrong with my child, no other 1, 2, 3 year old acted this way and I would silently look on wishing I had a quieter child. That couldn't be so far from the truth now. I have this amazingly bright, intuitive little girl who is just bursting at the seams with love and happiness. She has turned such a corner in her life and she is only 4. She has really pieced some big puzzles together and I commend her for it. She has become this polite, caring person looking out for others, and taking a genuine interest in what others are doing and how they are feeling. She asks me every morning, "How are you feeling today mummy? Are you happy? I am happy." When I leave her at school, she will call out at the top of her (loud!) voice 'I love you mummy!!!!'. Yes my heart melts and I just have to go back for one more cuddle. She is of course still only 4, and like other 4 year olds doesn't always like to be told what to do. Eloise is no exception to this... she has a clever way of diverting our attention to get herself out of a task, or thinking of a way to do it differently, her way (or just hiding somewhere hoping we will forget). Miss Logic always has an answer to any problem I throw out there, sometimes the most obvious solution that I haven't even considered. Making suggestions that I don't dismiss, and actually some of the time end up using or at least considering!

Eloise always makes an entrance, you can hear her over everyone in the room, no matter how large the crowd! She's just too full of opinions and energy to keep it zipped up. Not the most gracious, especially with her shoes on the wrong feet (seriously I have lost count how many times I have told her this). She gives THE best bear hugs (head locks!) ever and is just genuinely happy to be with others. Completely and utterly fearless, she will try anything, including wrapping a 4 foot boa constrictor around her shoulders, or holding a HUGE hairy tarantula...! Completely unfazed, her perception of life is fresh and full of wonderment.

We've had a really rocky ride from the start but whereas before when it was all an upsidedown, eyes closed affair, it's now an eyes wide open, shrieking with laughter ride that we are all totally loving. I just am so besotted with all of my children, they are all so unique and I just can't fathom where they get all their little oddities from. I love them all, they keep me & David amused constantly. I am forever learning from these amazing little people in my life, they make my world make sense, and they open so many different doors.

Copyright Laura Osborne

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