Dearest Buby,

All about you as you turn 4:

• You have a huge heart. Gigantic.
• You are sweet and sensitive, creative and energetic.
• You love to run outside, to chase and be chased.
• You like sports. Especially tennis + lacrosse.
• You are expressive and articulate.

• You have an exact memory and sense of direction.
• You like music and dance but not performing on stage.
• You are at times very loud and at times very reserved.
• You can build anything out of standard unit blocks.
• You enthusiastically solve every puzzle put before you.

• You paint large and abstract pictures.
• You take pride in crafting sweet things for others.
• You check the mail box regularly for your name.
• You like Winnie the Pooh and The Berenstain Bears.
• You look forward all week to going to the library.

• You love reading and being read to.
• You fall asleep in a heap of books every night.
• You have a hat to suit every mood.
• You start so many conversations with "When I'm a daddy...."
• You cherish one-on-one time with your father. Your hero.

• You hike and fish on weekends.
• You will eat everything and anything.
• You like to help me cook. My mini gourmet.
• You pick vegetables from your garden.
• You are very particular about how things feel on you.

• You like your showers "not too hot and not too cold."
• You don't like to get your clothes wet or dirty.
• You take excellent care of your belongings.
• You do not give much notice when you "have to go potty!"
• You have a natural competitiveness and like to be first.

• You would snack all day if we let you.
• You only drink water and organic milk at home.
• You love school but are exhausted by 3pm.
• You are afraid of dark corners in the house.
• You are always the cautious, careful one.

• You are an adoring big brother.
• You are incredibly empathetic of others.
• You take Mama Giraffe and Baby Bear to bed with you.
• You do not like to be tucked under sheets or blankets.
• You say three prayers every night.

• You talk about Grace, Gillian, Lillian and Natalie daily.
• You get crazy loud whenever I'm on the phone.
• You feel bad when you fight with your sister.
• You love my fresh-fruit smoothies in the morning.
• You often bring up your cousin Spencer. You look up to him.

• You like to collect rocks and spell things aloud.
• You make weird pterodactyl noises for fun.
• You have the flattest feet. Size 13.5.
• You may require therapy or knee surgery someday.
• You have a backpack for everything.

• You have crazy morning hair.
• You like the pink vitamins best.
• You spend hours on floor puzzles.
• You like any song with a strong drum beat.
• You look forward to birthday parties.

• You recently asked for another baby sister.
• You enjoy the occasional growl, screech and roar.
• You are a good sleeper. Thank God.
• You demand thoughtful answers to your questions.
• You remember every deal we've ever made with you.

• You self-correct now when you realize you have been rude.
• You say "Is that better, Mama? Is that more polite?
• You are easily discouraged when learning a new sport.
• You always stop to smell the flowers. And weeds.
• You don't like tags on your clothes.

• You would spend your whole piggy bank on rain boots.
• You strip down to nothing if you get water on yourself.
• You mention Santa Claus at least once a week, year round.
• You recently asked Daddy for a suit.
• You do not like shopping with me. At all.

• You like to use "Mommy/Daddy plates" at dinnertime.
• You say your favorite colors are blue, red, green and yellow.
• You are as big as the six year olds at the park.
• You pronounce words perfectly, except "feter" for "theater".
• You are loved oh so much by oh so many.

Happy birthday Bub.






Photos taken at Niagara Falls last month.