diving board day

There must be something magical about age 4, because Violet has just been....different. She quit biting her nails, exactly 2 years to the day after I saw her do it the first time. (2nd birthday to 4th birthday.)
Today we went to her last swimming class. She went off the diving board all by herself. Mr. Matt was her teacher. Violet spent the next 2 hrs. and 45 minutes jumping off. Eventually, I joined her. She'd get on one diving board and I'd get on the one next to her and we'd go at the same time. My little shrimp! Jumping into the 11' deep end all by herself. She was really proud of herself. At least 5 people stopped me and asked how old she was. I'd make her take a break. I'd wrap her in two towels and snuggle her up on my lap in our umbrella chair. I gave her 50 cents and she went and bought BBQ potato chips all by herself. She came back, munched on them and watched everyone. She shared the chips with me.
When we got home, she and I hung out while John had band practice. I was reclining on the porch swing and reading while she was playing in the back yard. It was an unusually cool, breezy evening. PERFECT. Violet went and got pillows and blankets and snuggled in with me on the swing. I just wanted to freeze time.
Then, she went and took her first shower by herself while I cleaned the bathroom. Then, to further impress me, she brushed her teeth on her own and then announced, "I'm going to go clean my room." It was as if the more I was pleased with her, the more she wanted to please me. This has not happened to this magnitude before! She went into her room, dried her hair, hung up her towel got pj's on and began folding her clothes and putting them in their drawers!! Then she said, "I'm going to go do the dishes!" I did draw the line there and say that she had been awesome enough for one day.
Daddy read to her. Then, I bounced her to sleep on the couch. She was lying on top of me. Tears just streamed down my cheeks. The love I have for her is.....well, you mother's know. You can't say it. Only a lump in the throat comes up. I just want to absorb her into me. It's like we are one, but two bodies. I love John deeply, but it is a much different love for Violet. Almost like my DNA is tingling. It reminds me of Superman flying around Earth so fast to reverse it. I just picture all of this white light forming this web cocoon all around us until we melt into each other.
Good night Violet. I love you beyond words.