In which I am very nearly no longer a mother of a 3 year old

cuddling with her in bed by the glow of the nightlight, quieting for sleep, I am struck!

Me:  Eden, you are going to be 4 in 10 days!  You won't be 3 anymore.  Oh no!  Eden, could you please stay 3?  Could you please not turn 4?
E:  [chuckles]  Well, I have to turn 4.  But don't worry mom, you will still wuv me.  You will always wuv me.  Don't worry.  I will still be a girl.  And you'll still wuv me when I'm 5 and 6 and 7.  I'll still be a girl, and I won't turn into a boy when I am 4.  I won't.
Me:  You'll still be the same Eden?  I know.  You are right, I'll love you when you're 4 too.  I will just always love you and there will be more years of you to love.
[Eden wraps her arms around my neck]
E: You know what I'm doing?
Me:  hugging me?
E:  I'm keeping you forever.  [and I melt into a puddle]
Me: I'm keeping you too.
OK, we can talk about 2 things and then I have to go put the boys to bed.
E:  Weeellll.....I know, I know!  I fawt (thought) of what I want [for Christmas].  I was sweeping (sleeping) last night and I finally fawt of it while I was sweeping.  I want a TELESCOPE!
Me:  A telescope, huh?  Really?  What is a telescope? [doubting she even knows what that is...]
E: You know dat fing dat you can look into outer space?  I want to wook at stars.  I wike wooking into outer space.  And I fink the bwudders would wike it too.  I super want a telescope.
Me:  Where did you learn about telescopes??
E:  I don't know!  I just know about dem somehow!
Me:  Wow, I wonder if you are going to be an astronaut when you grow up.
E:  [looks slightly worried]  Well, if I did dat, I would be far away from you and you couldn't see me!  I don't want to be an astronaut!  I don't want to be so far away, I want to see you.  You would be too sad if I was so far away.
Me:  Whew, that's good.  I would be super sad.  I'm glad you want to stay on earth.
E:  Yep, I fink I'll be an artist.  Then we can be close together.

These moments!  I fear they'll become a little more scarce with each birthday.  Could it get any better?  I'm so grateful for my little girl Christmas present. xo