Letter to my 4 year old

Baby Luke,

Turns out, you're not so much a baby anymore.  As you would put it, 'I'm 4, I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy.'  As a matter of fact, you've sprouted up this past year.  You're face has changed into a more little boy look.  You have a TON of hair.  You have opinions and the vocabulary to back them.

This past year has been so awesome.  We've had vacations to the beach, twice.  You loved the sand and playing with daddy, and for a few minutes you actually liked the ocean, but then you were over it.  We've been to Dallas to play and shop.  We've been to Branson and Silver Dollar City.  We've been to visit your Grandma and Grandpa in Northwest Arkansas.

At Silver Dollar City you loved riding the rides.  You're favorite was the roller coaster - kid sized.  I can't believe you liked it!  You're definitely more of dare devil than I realized :)  We waited in line for the parade and in true Luke fashion, you made friends with the kiddos beside us.  We weren't able to stay for the parade because you and Owen were just way too tired.  We had a great little trip and I think that we may make that a yearly trip.

You're learning so much!  You know you're 'ABCs', you can count to thirty, you know shapes, colors and the sounds the letters make.  You can write your name.  You love to look at the letters in all your books and try to figure out what they say.  Your preschool teacher is Mrs. Amanda and we think she's great.  She lets you and your class do so many fun things.  You paint, draw and craft.  I know you always have a great time.

Your favorite movies right now are 'Planes' (we're watching it right now), 'Wreck It Ralph' and of course, the all time favorite, 'Cars'.  You love playing the game 'Trouble'.  We play it all the time.  Your favorite part is sending mom and dad home.  You won last night, but when you lose, you're a bit of a sore loser so we're working on being a good sport.  Dad has yet to win a game.

We still stay at M and Pa's some during the week, and you love getting away with murder there.  You and Owen seem to rule the roost while we're there.  You sleep with mommy on the pull out couch, and most nights we're fine, but we sleep with a pillow in between us because your little foot likes to find its way to my back.  Ouch!

Your vocabulary is amazing.  You pick up everything and are really pretty articulate.  You've turned into quite the little helper.  You can turn the lights on by yourself, you can wash your hands, put your shoes on, clean up toys, put in a DVD by yourself, get into the car by yourself.  All of these little things really add up and help us so much!

Oh!  and you're FINALLY fully potty trained!  What a relief!!

You are kind hearted, gentle, you love your brother and are so good playing with him (most of the time).  You know what you want, you don't pitch too many fits.  You love to read books.  You still have Monkey.  You love your family and we love you.

We love you and can't wait to see what the next year brings.  Happy 4th!
Mom and Dad