4.

Today's the day.

The dude is Four.

And I hate to say it but I can't believe it.

It feels like we started this crazy new life

just a few minutes ago.

And now it's 4 years later and we're so glad that we got you.

You just finished your second year of preschool which you loved.

You played "soldier guys" every. single. day,

loved going on bear hunts, being number 1, snack time

Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Winfrey and playing outside at the park.

At the end of the year assembly your teacher awarded you

"best comrade"

for you love of playing "soldier guys"

but also for your sense of camaraderie and fairness.

She said you always included the other kids and made sure

that whoever wanted to play could join in the fun.

My heart just about burst

because your dad and I always say to each other

that we don't care if your the smartest

(although, for the love, please learn your freaking letters)

or the coolest or the best athlete

but we want you the be the best kind of friend.

We want you to be inclusive and non-judgmental,

have enough self assurance to speak up against what's popular

and pick up the kids who may be down each day.

We want this for you because although it may be hard day to day,

it will make you happy and content as you get older.

You will be able to stand proud about who you are

and you will have some really cool people standing next to you!

You are the best brother.

Charlie worships you and copies EVERYTHING you

do. If you run into the wall he follows. If you do a

somersault he tries. If you smart mouth me he mumbles

at me in the exact same tone. If you're excited he's excited.

If you love Curious George, he loves George. If you hit he hits.

If you scream, he screams. If you need a snack so does he.

etc. etc. etc.

I don't love but do appreciate that when you get really mad at him

for taking something of yours or for hitting you, etc. now, instead of slapping

him back or body slamming him you grab him by the shoulders

trembling with fury and tell him "Charlie. Don't do that!"

Or you try and put him in time out.

You two are the best.

You're really into knights, dragons, pirates, board games,

Henry McDougall (you ask about him at least 15 times a day),

Batman, your grandparents, coloring, reading books,

playing baseball, teriyaki chicken, pizza, gum, going to the park,

Legos, talking about how big you are now,

asking how old you have to be to do certain things,

hanging out with your dad, pump-it-up, the park,

water balloons and playing in the mud.

You've just starting asking about what we are going to do

"after it's dark and we have a nap"

(meaning tomorrow).

You LOVE babies right now and constantly ask

if the most recently born baby we know is

"still sooo cute?

and has cute feet?

and cute little ears?

and cute little toes?"

And you want to know when you are going to have a baby.

You like art projects.

Especially coloring and painting.

You are starting to stay in the lines but have a

tie-die effect with what you color.

You love working (playing) in the yard

and collecting bugs and worms.

You got a new bug catcher for your birthday

and caught a ladybug today.

You asked me what you should name it

and I said "how about Socrates?"

You said "No, I don't think that's a very good name,

how about Reggie?"

You still wear jeans every. single. day.

And they have to be blue jeans

not grey or another color cause

"They're not looking cool."

You've moved on from your green converse

to dragon VANS slip-ons.

And you don't like sweatshirts or coats.

Or your footy PJ's. You say they're pokey.

Some things aren't worth arguing over.

You call directions to things (legos, ikea furniture, etc.)

"constructions"

which we think is actually a better word.

You used the phrase "Well, actually dad..."

correctly last weekend which made us laugh.

And dread you continuing to get older and smarter.

We love you Will.

You've got a huge fan club

and we can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Happy 4th Birthday!