Wednesday was Mariel's birthday.

She's now a four-year-old.

I've always considered that to be a milestone. It's an age that has a whole lot going for it.

The walking and talking skills are pretty well-developed by this point. No more of that "toddler fall down syndrome" that Maggie Simpson displays.

There's a certain small amount of autonomy at this age; children are able to amuse themselves. Mariel is making up stories and acting them out with her toys, for instance. She can sit and watch some videos and actually pay attention to them. Best of all, she's able to turn off the TV before moving onto the next activity!

Mariel is not yet in kindergarten, so her days are full of play and self-motivated discoveries. She'll be sucked into the K - 12 school machine soon enough.

Right now she has the all-too-rare luxury of a stay-at-home-Mother and a Father who works a steady, first-shift job. This is much how it was for "Li'l Craig" back in 1962. It can be a very reassuring, "Leave It To Beaver" sort of feeling!

I remember my own turn as four year-old as being pretty sweet.

I hope Mariel's year is just as good.