Four.

Parker,

I am in shock that you are four. You have grown so much these past two months. You are talking so much clearer and seemingly understanding every single thing said. You have been such a brave and light through this whole broken leg incident. You have been much stronger than mommy about the whole thing. I didn't hear even one complaint for the entire 8 weeks since the accident. Two months is an eternity to a 3 year old...not even one complaint! 

You know what I did hear? Lots and lots of "I love you" to Daddy, Blakely, Mimi, Kaki, Wolfie and me. That is just who you are. You love. You care. You are my sweet, cheerful, light. 

You love playing with Blakely. Since you've been home every day all day and B goes to school, you are so excited when she comes home! The two of you play together great, most of the time. You look up to her a lot and she gets you to do some things you wouldn't ever dare do without her pushing you. I know who's really behind those things though =)

You are still go good for me when we go in and out of stores. You wait patiently in the car when we have to go through carpool to pick up sister. You love talking these days. I will hear you go on and on about random stuff. It makes me so happy to hear you ramble.

That smile of yours sure does bring me joy.

You love suckers and candy. Unfortunately all I can get you to eat these days are bars, PB & Js and an occasional piece of bacon. You will snack all day long on goldfish and crackers...but no real food and certainly no veggies...oh how I wish my people would eat!

We signed you up for T-ball this year. I got you dressed up for pics this month, but I'm afraid this season is out due to your leg...Maybe next year!

You had a great birthday! You played all day long with your new toy Kaki gave you and really enjoyed an egg hunt at her house. I love that you two share a birthday.

Daddy was in his best friend's wedding out of town on your birthday this year, but he came home as soon as he could for YOU! You really enjoyed opening all of your gifts and genuinely were thankful for each one. Not many people could say that their four year old was thankful at all for even one gift.

That face just says it all...

You finally got your green helicopter!

Telling Daddy all about something!

You are one of the most appreciative little kids I've ever known! Every single thing given you will genuinely say thank you. Even the bathing suit Kaki gave you!

You FINALLY got your Zoomer Dino!!!

You had a birthday cake #1 on Saturday...

and birthday cake #2 on Sunday with family!

Oh Manny Man, how I love you. You will never know the love my heart is filled with because of you. I wasn't even aware until I almost lost you in February. I am so so grateful to the Lord for protecting your sweet life. You are so completely different than both of your sisters in many ways. You are careful and cautious. You are very verbal with your 'I love yous'. You love deeply. You are sensitive. You are loud with your stories. You love baths, the creek, 'the beach' (out on the back deck?), your monkey, dinosaurs, dinotrux, transformers, robots, planes, trucks, mighty machines, your leap pad...

You are so so funny. For a while your potty terms were 'spicey rocks' when constipated, and plain ole' 'rocks' when normal.

I don't know many three year olds that could have handled this whole situation as gracefully as you did. You didn't complain once. ever. You just go with the flow on everything and never once feel sorry for yourself. Oh, how I've learned so much about life through you. You have made me a better person Parker. You are one in a million and I am forever blessed by having you in my life.

Love and joy,
Mommy