Chapter Eleven: As dictated to…

To Aunty Lin,

Thank you for the card and present you and Uncle Lysander sent me for my fourth birthday. I had a very good day today, and Chistery sang 'happy birthday' to me when he delivered your present. It was funny, I like Chistery. He likes Momma a lot, he's always happy to see her.

Momma and Daddy got me some new books for my birthday, and Momma said she'll help me read them. I also got some new clothes from Haggar, and a pair of pretty big girl shoes. I really love the doll you sent me, she is very beautiful and I've named her Galinda, like you and me. I promise I'll be very careful not to break her.

We have news in our family, and Momma and Daddy said I could be the one to tell you. Me and Liir are going to have another baby brother or sister in six months Daddy says. Liir doesn't really care, but he's only one. I want a little sister, because Liir is a stinky boy and I want someone to play with. Momma is a little sick, but I'm helping Daddy and Haggar take care of her. She says the baby was a surprise, but Daddy is really happy and he agrees with me that we should have another girl, but he said I'll still be his little princess, because I was here first- although he'll always love Momma more than anyone else in all of Oz and Quox together. That's a lot of people, isn't it?

Daddy said if I want he'll build another room for the baby, but I think I'd like to share. I like all the stories you tell about when you and Momma shared a room at Shiz, and maybe the baby and me can do things like that. Daddy says we can, but not until we're older, because babies are too tiny to stay up late and share secrets and do makeovers.

Momma said I should hope the baby's a girl, because she won't do makeovers and I should ask you if I don't believe you. Is that true? Daddy laughed when she said that and said something about 'Galindafied' but I don't know what that means.

I also wanted to write and ask you a favour. My doll is very pretty and I love every time you send us presents, but even more when you come visit. But can you please make sure that the next time you buy me a present, it isn't pink? I don't really like pink, my favourite colour is green like Momma's skin.

Daddy said his favourite colour is green too, Momma just rolls her eyes and tells him that he is brainless. Liir can sort of talk now. He calls me 'Rin', which is funny. Even though he can't walk yet without falling down, he dances a lot which Momma says means that he really is his father's son, but I don't know what that means.

Momma made me chocolate cake for my birthday, because it's my favourite. I really hope you and Uncle Lysander can come visit soon with the twins. I want to show Idina my new doll. Jem can look too, but he has to play with Liir because he's a boy and boys don't play with dolls. When you come visit, you and Momma can play with us too. I also want your help making Momma a present for her birthday soon. Daddy said I can this year because I'm a big girl now, but I want your help, not Daddy's.

I will give this letter to Chistery to take to you in a minute, but he is talking to Momma in the living room right now. Daddy says it's time for me to have my bath now anyway and his hand is getting cramps from writing so much. But I'm not allowed to tell Momma he said that because she will roll her eyes at him again, and Daddy is afraid that one day they will get stuck. Can that happen?

I miss you all very much and I love you all. Liir says hi, and Momma does too.

Love from your goddaughter,

Aerin Galinda Tiggular (as dictated to and obediently written by Daddy).