Fantastic 4

Dear Colin-

It's hard to believe 4 years ago I was nervously and anxiously awaiting your arrival.  What would I do with this little bundle and how would you change my life?  Little did I know there was such a hole in my heart that you would fill.  Little did I know you would turn my world upside down and teach me so much.  You are such a blessing.  You are such a sweet, well-mannered, loving, smart, and funny little boy.  You continue to amaze me every day with what you say and do and ask.  

I know I won't remember all your quirky saying and things you do but here's a stab at a few.  You still suck your thumb and nothing I can say or do seems to make you want to stop.  Everyone assures me you'll give it up eventually and I guess they're right, I haven't seen many high schoolers suck their thumb at their senior prom.  

Along with the thumb is your blankie, "blue."  Blue goes wherever you do and there's a small crisis if you every forget him.  Two of his 4 corners you have deemed "rubbing corners" and they are absolutely black!  We have no idea what makes those 2 corners special but you love to hold them and rub your nose and upper lip as you're sucking your thumb.  You're kind enough to offer them to us by asking if we want a rub but we kindly turn you down.

You still don't play on your own very well but you love when Mommy and/or Daddy play with you.  You love for Daddy to tackle you and pretend to be an animal of some sort but you start to whine if he gets to rough or tickles you too much.  

You love to work puzzles and even though you get frustrated initially, you figure them out and want to work them over and over again.  You would work the same puzzle over and over, all day long if we'd let you.

You love your baby brother but haven't quite figured out how to play with him yet.  You love to get right in his face with either your face or your hands.  You don't like him to get near your food and cry and whine if he so much as looks your direction while you're eating.  Not much can come between you and your food!  You've started to want to hold him and try to pick him up.  If he's well-rested, he plays along but other times he cries immediately.  He loves for you to be around though and watches your every move.

You still eat like a champ.  There's not many things you won't eat or at least try.  If you're well-rested, you will try just about anything I put in front of you and you always say, "I love xxx."  For breakfast every morning you have your fruit (grapes, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and sometimes blackberries), milk, and either cereal or oatmeal with raisins and almonds.  Often you'll have a second breakfast at school.  You love to eat and you're growing belly proves it.

You takes naps sporadically.  Sometimes you are adamant about not taking them, other times you fall asleep on the couch in the computer room, and on vacation you willing napped every day!  It makes a world of difference when you do nap though.  Someday you'll understand how great naps are!

You love to play outside.  Your face turns beet red from running and being hot but it never phases you.  You get frustrated easily when you learn something new but you're ready to try again in another day or two.  You have a terrific arm - maybe you'll be a pitcher someday...a pitching chef!

You love to give hugs and kisses and tell us you love us.  At the dinner table, you often get up and make your rounds giving out hugs and kisses.  You tell Mommy she makes the best dinners and that she looks pretty.  You tell Daddy you like what he's wearing or a specific article of clothing.  

You are such a smart little boy.  Your vocabulary is amazing and sometimes I wonder where you learn all those words.  One of your favorite things to say is sure - "Sure can." or "I sure will." or "It sure is."  

You know your numbers up to 100 and can recognize written numbers up to 20 (at least).  You know all your letters and can write them all.  You can write your name, not very well but you can.  You know your address, mommy and daddy's full names, and are starting to learn all the states.  

You are my pride and joy.  I am so proud to be your Mommy.  You bring so much joy to my life and I thank God every day for you.  Happy Birthday, Peanut!

I love you,

Mommy

Here's a short interview I had with you - by the way, you love being interviewed!

You favorites:

Color:  red

Food:  ice cream (I think you've maybe had it 4 times.)

Breakfast food:  pancakes

Restaurant:  Chik-fil-a

Dessert:  cake

Toy:  butterfly catcher (which is holding together by a thread and you don't even play with it)

Number:  1

Letter:  A

Song:  Mary Had a Little Lamb

Book:  How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Animal:  something big...elephant

Movie:  Toy Story

Outfit:  birthday shirt

Place to shop:  bookstore

Cartoon:  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Sport:  golf (you've played maybe once and got so frustrated you haven't tried again)

Thing to do outside:  play in swimming pool

Thing to do with Mommy:  play outside

Thing to do with Daddy:  play soccer & golf (there's that golf thing again)

Thing to do with Buff:  play outside

Thing to do with Grandpa:  play in the playroom

Time of day:  going to bed (really?!)

Teacher:  Mrs. Kim @ Little Elks

Best friend:  Seth Hager (Little Elks)

What do you want to be when you grow up?  a chef!