Happy "4" to my big boy (Back-Blogging, part 4)

Dear Preston,

For months now you've been talking about being "almost four."  You're always saying, "Four kids can do this..." - - meaning kids who are four can do the very thing I just told you that you're too little for (mostly this has to do with daredevil-type activities, toys for big(ger) boys and watching certain shows that you know about, but are not allowed to watch).  Anyway, you are the big "4" now... and after all that anticipation... I believe you actually did feel different when you woke up on May 9th.  And though you already are wanting to be bigger (slow down, Buddy, please!), in general, you think being four is great - - even when I shoot down the things you're still too little not big enough for.

Mommy is sorry she didn't write to you on your actual birthday (which is my tradition), but my computer just wasn't cooperating (of which you are well aware since you have been playing on it when it just randomly shuts down).

Some general stats about you on May 9th:
- You are 40.5" tall
- You weigh 36.5 pounds
- You wear a size 11 (or 11 1/2) shoe
- You go through an average of a pair of pants a month... wearing holes in your knees faster than I can blink.  I am not sure whether to be happy it's finally "shorts weather" or not... as I wonder if your knees will take the same beating as your pants!
- Quite often, you look a bit like a leopard from the knees down.  Why...?  Because you are so active and so fearless that you bonk yourself all the time.  I cannot get over how many bumps, bruises and scrapes your little knees and shins can hold at a time. 

Some things about you at four:
- You love family time and you often request "family hugs" where we all squeeze together.  Whether it's sitting at the table, cuddling on the couch, wrestling on the family room floor, or driving in the car... you always announce your pleasure in the four of us being together.  And, when you do, you often mention that we are just missing Sophie.  You say, "Sophie isn't here, she is in Heaven."  And then you remind us (because we have told you) that she is still our family.   While it brings tears to our eyes every time you mention her, we love that you loved our doggie so much.  Sweet boy.

- You love to help (most of the time!).  You dust, vacuum, take out and bring in the trash cans, help unload the car after Costco runs, help restock supplies we get from the garage and do a pretty good job of picking up after yourself.  You also like to help Gracie - - which is nothing new - - though sometimes have to be reminded that some things are for Mommy and Daddy to help her with and some things she can do herself.  You also love helping in the kitchen... unloading the dishwasher, preparing meals, etc.  And, I regularly freak out at the fact that you will open the fridge and stand there (much like your daddy) deciding what you want to have... makes you seem so big.
- You are quite the negotiator.  You'll say, "I have an idea..." and it will be followed with an agenda that mostly favors your wants and needs, but throws in just enough of what I've said must be done and almost always includes something that will also make your sister happy.  Your ideas are often followed up with, "How does my deal sound?" or "Does that sound like a plan to you?"  You are also negotiating with your swimming teacher... she'll ask you to do something three times and you'll try to get her down to two.  While I want you to do what you're being asked (by all of us), I am glad that you have a mind of your own and try to voice your opinion... even if we shoot you down!

- You continue to have exceptional manners - - you even answer the phone a lot now, saying, "Swann residence" and, "Just a moment, please."  You have gotten a little shier than you were at three - - when strangers say hello, you aren't as quick to answer in your normal, bubbly way.  This is good... stranger danger is an important awareness... but it makes mommy a bit sad that you've grown enough to have reached this stage.  This does not, however, apply to other children.   You are still very quick to make friends at the park and, in general, play great with others. 

- You're bright, athletic, funny, silly, kind and compassionate.  You are, by all measures, a happy kid... and that's so important.

- You are getting quite good at writing your letters and regularly try to spell out words and write them or even make up your own words and definitions.  You can read a couple levels of BOB books now, but don't like doing it for me... which frustrates me to no end, as does the fact that you'll act as though you can't do certain things, such as read words that I know you already know.  Like your sister, you are much better at doing things when left alone (that is, when you think I am not watching), though you do it for different reasons than she does.  I have finally opted to leave out your pads of writing and drawing paper and pens/pencils (my general rule is to put things away when finished, so this goes against that) because I find that if you have it set-up and accessible all the time, you'll make the decision to sit down and write/draw/color/scribble/make words on your own several times throughout the day.   Conversely, you will practice anything athletic until you're blue in the face... regardless of who is watching... and rarely act as though you can't do something.  

- You LOVE spending time with your daddy.  By the time his four-day stretch of 16 hour days is over, you are so excited you cannot be contained.  Seeing you two together warms my heart to no end.  You are his little side-kick and he is your everything. 

- And, I mustn't forget... you love to have your feet massaged! At night, if you have trouble falling asleep, you request a foot massage (sometimes you plop yourself on the couch and place your feet in my lap and wiggle them without even asking) and within minutes, you're knocked out! It's too funny... and I love that you know what you need!

You are now four years, one month and two weeks old.  You are:
- Wearing a size 12 shoe in most brands
- Getting gutsy with the wheelie bar on your "big boy" scooter

- Riding a bike without training wheels and doing so with great ease

- Taking swim lessons twice a week
- Going to start ice-skating lessons soon
- Wanting to play soccer, baseball, basketball, take karate, take gymnastics and play hockey (pretty much everything there is to play/do and you are interested)
- Often speaking in a voice that is changing from the little boy sound into the big boy sound... with a big boy attitude (that sometimes is good and sometimes isn't!) and an ever-increasing vocabulary that just blows me away.   Last night at dinner you slayed daddy and me by doing the following:

"Let's all hold hands,"  you said. We did. 
You bowed your head and said,

"Dear God,
Thank you for this lovely dinner. 
And help our sister get better.
We love you. 
In Jesus' name,
Amen"

You, my sweet boy, are wonderful in so many ways.
I love you, and all your "four-ness," with my whole heart.
Mommy