My most recent 101 Things in 1001 Days list includes making lists of 25 things I love about each of my children.  As I prepared to write posts for each of them, telling them what makes them “absolutely incredible” in my eyes (in preparation for Absolutely Incredible Kid Day coming up on the 20th), I thought that these lists would be a great way to do that.  So here you have it. The first of four lists.  (The items vary in their degree of seriousness.)

25 Things I Love About You, Ariel

1. Your latent leadership abilities.  (That means they’re already there, but you might not see them because they need to be developed.)

2. Your precision.  You notice when things aren’t quite right, and seek to perfect them.

3. Your silky-smooth hair.

4. Your vibrant imagination.

5. Your openness to suggestions for improving your writing.

6. How much you love your daddy, and how you enjoy sharing hobbies with him.

7. Your memory for the interesting facts you learn.  (I will never forget you noting immediately upon seeing a photo of a Kookaburra that it looked like a Kingfisher!)

8. Your enjoyment of fantasy worlds.

9. Your clear, beautiful singing voice.

10. The diligence you’ve shown in developing that voice.

11. The softness of your coloring.

12. Your sensitivity to others’ emotional needs

13. Your love of reading.

14. Your love of history.

15. Your caution.

16. Your ability to turn chores into games.

17. The way you’re starting to step up and take responsibility for helping with household tasks.

18. That you love to cook.

19. Your never-ending supply of ideas.

20. Your sense of justice.

21. Your ability to get things done independently.

22. Your joy in giving gifts.

23. Your love of beautiful things.

24. That you aren’t afraid to dream big.

25. Your curiosity.