Happy Birthday, Kid!
This past year has been full of surprises. You have grown leaps and bounds both physically and mentally. You missed your terrible twos, but had a lovely stage of terrible threes! Fortunately, you recovered after a few months and brought back our joyful, enthusiastic, and loving boy!
Some things you have done in the past year:
-Become very social (you went through a shy stage)
-Learned your letters and numbers
-Can write your name (and other words)
-Can rhyme
-Make up stories
-Asked Jesus into your heart!
-Become a big brother and were intrigued with pregnancy and birth
-Learned to gain control of your emotions
-Increased fascination with heaven, and all things related to the Bible and God
-Increased fascination with heaven, and all things related to the Bible and God
-Taken on new obsessions other than sports and tractors: tools, guns (nerf) & hunting, snowboarding, skateboarding, wakeboarding, and "school work".
What being four has brought you so far:
-We cut out your nap! You now do rest time, which is 30-60 mins on my bed with your blankies and 3-5 books. You loved your nap, but after putting you to bed at 8pm, we would still here you in your room singing, talking, banging the wall, etc. until 9:30pm! Cutting out your nap was an easy transition and now you go to bed at 7pm and wake still at 7am. Plus, Mommy still gets a good hour of quiet time herself while all kids are sleeping or resting!
-You gave up your blankies for rest time. This is a small step in the transition to stop sucking your thumb. You only suck your thumb with your blankies, and you only have your blankies for nap, bedtime, or video time. Now you only have them for bedtime and rest time. Next year when you turn five, you are aware that you will be giving them up entirely. We're hoping this cuts out the thumb sucking!
-You wear underwear to bed at night. You haven't had a night accident in months and months, but I was always hesitant to take away the pull-ups (or "one-two-trees" as we call them, since that's what's on the Seventh Generation pull ups!).
-You wear size 4T, but 3T pants. The only pants that fit you correctly are Gap as everything else is to short and too baggy. You're quite the beanpole these days.
We love you so much. We're in shock that it's been four years since we brought our bundle of peace and joy into our home. You are an incredibly patient, kind, gentle, and loving child. You are an amazing brother and are so helpful to your Mommy!
Keep your enthusiastic and pleasing spirit, son. It will be oh-so-beneficial for your future spouse. I know you are much like Daddy and he makes the most amazing husband, so keep your eyes on his example, but keep your heart pure and never let go of your desire to know Christ. We love you and pray for you daily! Have a great fourth year!