To my Sweet Blake on his Fourth Birthday

I just love this tradition of writing a special letter to each of my kids on their birthdays.  I hope they will treasure these years down the road when they are out of the house.  I know that time will come all too soon.  I always just sit here and bawl when I look back on the past year and realize how fast time is going, and how quickly my little babies are growing up.

Blake, you told me that you would be my baby until you turned four, so I guess that changes today.  :)

This picture just sums you all up, Blake.  You are so happy and laid back.  Jane will be pulling your hair and you just very patiently say, "Mom, the baby is pulling my hair," and then wait until I come to your rescue.  It's a very rare occasion when you get angry or grumpy.  You're my little ray of sunshine.

You love all things super heroes right now.  You dress up in your many costumes throughout the day and run around saving the world. More often than not when you are watching Netflix, it's the Batman or Spider Man cartoon.

You adore your sisters. You want to do everything Natalie does, and are very influenced by her.  Which is why we are always reminding her to be a good example.  You even said to me the other day, "I want to marry Natalie, because she's nice".  Even when Natalie hurts you or doesn't want to play with you, you are so quick to forgive and forget.  You are so full of love.  I just melt when you come up from behind me multiple times a day, hug my legs and say, "Mom I love you so much!"  You have such a tender heart.  You smother your sister Jane with hugs and kisses, even though she gets irritated and pushes you away.

You're a naturally good boy.  You're sensitive to others' feelings and are always the first one to jump in to help when I need it.  When someone's sad, you take notice and try to console them.

You're very in tune with your surroundings and this incredible world that God created.  Many times, you've mentioned, "Mom, this is a really beautiful day." or "Mom, look how blue the sky is."  You say often, "I love our home".

You are a very grateful and apologetic person as well.  You're quick to say thank you, even for little things.  For example, not long ago, I made you a super hero mask in about a minute out of paper.  It was a shoddy job, but you were so pleased and said, "Thank you for my mask!" and wore it all day.  About a month ago you had the stomach flu and threw up all over your bed during the night.  The next day you said, "Mom, I'm really sorry for making a mess last night".  So sweet.

You started preschool this year and love to interact with the kids there.  You've always been so friendly and outgoing.  You used to say "hi" to random strangers at the grocery store and tell them stories.

I love the way you talk, how there are only a few consonants that you can pronounce correctly, even though it means speech class might be imminent when you start school.  It's cute and it's who you are right now.  Natalie will try to coach you in the back seat of the car when we're driving her to school and get really frustrated, trying to get you to say it right, but in your mind, you are.  The funniest example of this was when she was correcting you and you said very matter of factly, "I said it wight!"  We all got a good laugh out of that one.

I just love all your sweet mannerisms.  You are my adorable and precious boy and I feel so blessed to be your mom.  What a privilege and joy it is.  I love you Blake!

Love Mom