Dear love of my life, today you turned four. I can hardly believe it. When I think about how far we have come since the day you were born I well up with tears. I am so proud of what an awesome little man you are... You are very funny. The things you say are amazing. You hear us talking and you understand about 90% of it. Your dad and I have been reduced to spelling almost everything. Talk about a wake up call, when your kid repeats your words and phrases back to you. It is like listening to a recording of your voice. We had better wise up real quick - us parents of yours. The other day you asked me why I said Oh Crap! What was I to say?
You are SO smart. We are stunned at your brilliance some days. Everyone tells us that you are smart just in case we aren't convinced. I am excited to help you learn. I love talking to you about ideas and the world. You are such an amazing artist too. You draw some beautifully complex patterns and you can draw recognizable shapes. I love your sunshines. I hope you always feel free to create.
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| Le Artiste! You begged to paint all morning. I think it is fantastic. You asked me about mixing colors to make new colors. |
You are pretty nice to your brother, you help him and look out for him all of the time. We are very lucky for all of your help. I know it is hard to share with him and put up with his little brother shenanigans. He is kind of a turkey these days. I see you two playing nicely one minute and I well up with joy and pride and then the next minute you are beating each other around the head with sticks or rocks and I try to let you sort it out... I call it toddler justice. I do intervene when it is either too loud or I fear that one of you might end up in the emergency room. Boy does your brother love you. So many of the arguments you get into is because he just wants to do what you do. You are pretty darn special. All of the daycare kids worship you too.
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| He is NEVER going to give up his binkeys. |
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| Recognize the hat. He won't wear his new hat, insists on his brother's old hat. |
Let me tell you about your fourth birthday. You kept asking for a transformer and a skateboard. The skateboard changed to a motorized scooter, but only just a little to late after your father and I purchased you your first skateboard - SPIDERMAN skateboard. It is completely boss.
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| The awesome buildings Papa Bill built you for your car town. Coming soon. Promise. |
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| They are SO cool, they deserve two photos. |
Your fourth birthday weekend started out with your very first soccer game. When we got there I think the crowds freaked you out. You were shy and just wanted to stand by your mommy. Once the action started you wanted IN! You were a cautious observer of the game from a safe location behind your coach. I stood with your grandparents behind the goal and yelled and yelled for you to kick a goal. You finally did. We were stoked! You did a lot of tackling of kids on the other team and even some kids on your team. You fell down a lot for no reason whatsoever. It was the most hilarious thing any of us had ever seen.
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| Star of the Red Rhinos |
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| Coach Sam, Coleman and Zachery with Jr. on the Red Rhinos. |
We had a nice family party for you on Saturday and Sunday. Your grandparents fully spoiled you like crazy. It was so unbelievably hot here this weekend, it was nice for a change to see the sun. Your little friend party on Sunday was pretty cute too. You little stinkers got a hold of squirt guns. You were ruthless.
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| Faith coming over to celebrate your birthday with you. |
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| Jr. and pretty Adrienne surrounded by birthday loot. |
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| Jr.'s buddy and our fantastic neighbor Colter. |
Today, your for real birthday, I took the day off to hang with you and do whatever you wanted. You wanted to watch your new movie - Puss and Boots, play with your new toys and paint outside for a while. You were so mellow, so quiet. Your dad came home to hang out with you too, you then took a 3 hour nap. We wanted to take you fishing or take a hike, nope. You just wanted to be home and be quiet. We picked up your brother and hit the park. Only after a little leftover cake got you going. It was actually pretty great to spend a nice quiet day with you - snuggling, visiting and playing.
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| After birthday nap. Check out the hair. |
You start pre-school soon. It is hard for me to think about you being done at Aimees. You have learned so much from her and your friends there, it so so safe for you there. It will be such a big change for all of us. You are ready though. You need some bigger tough boys to play with and you will be back with Seri and Adrienne every day. I am really looking forward to that for you.
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| The day before Jr. was born. I was so scared. |
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| Jr. a few days old. |
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| Jr. right around his first birthday. |
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| Jr.'s second birthday. |
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| Jr. at age three. |
Your dad and I are looking forward to the next amazing year with you.
Love, your Momma
