Happy 4th birthday, John David

Oh Johnny, what am I going to do with you, I told you to stop growing and here we are again celebrating another birthday.  John David, you are the sweetest kid I know.  And you have quite the personality.  You always have us cracking up with your silliness. We love you so much and want to wish you a big happy 4th birthday. 

You have been so patient, you know your birthday was coming up but you didn't ask about it too much, well until now.  Now that Austin's birthday is over, you know your special day is just around the corner.  We have been crossing out the days on our calendar.

Where are you today!  Gosh, it's funny because as I'm typing this, Darius Rucker's, "It Won't Be Like This for Long" is on and boy oh boy he is correct. 

You weigh 43 pounds and are 42 inches
 

 Your most favorite foods are cheeseburgers, pickles, salad, meatballs, applesauce, monkey yogurt, and bagels.  Let's rewind for a minute, salad?  When did you start liking salad?  We were out one night and you told me you wanted salad with the orange stuff.  I played along, since you told me you eat it at school, and sure enough you ate it!  And that orange stuff, it's yummy french dressing.  I like french too!  You also love spaghetti and you get that spaghetti face that kids get.  I always wanted a baby with spaghetti face, loved those Ragu commercials and now I have my very own.  You don't like the spaghetti at school, because, and you tell me this, "it's not mommy's spaghetti"  It makes me so happy that you like my cooking.  Just like daddy, you like vanilla ice cream.

Last year, I really had to help you with your bike.  Now, you are a master at it, going up and down the street.  It's amazing how much difference a year makes.  Pretty soon, we will all be able to ride together.  We just need to get daddy a bike!

You know your letters and your numbers 1-10, how to write your name and draw amazing pictures.  You like to make us special pictures and put them in envelopes.  Mommy and daddy need to lick the envelop though, and then you make a special delivery.  One time, you even put the note in our mailbox and mad daddy go retrieve it.  We need to teach you how to address an envelop and put a stamp on so we can share your precious pictures.

You love to sing.  And of course, it's Frozen, "Let it, go"  You were doing a puzzle the other day and you were belting out Let it Go.  I thought it was super cute. When we came to your Spring Sing, you were front and center singing your songs, and at bed time you like to sing songs together.

Speaking of bedtime, you have your own system, and like last year, you like to change it up.  We never really know how its going to go. Sometimes you want to hold your blankies with the tag closest to you, other times you want them covered over you and sometimes you don't even want them in your room.  You have a special love for your teddy bear and kangaroo or bunny, whatever it is and love to cuddle with them.  You 95% of time need a sip of water before bed.  You love to hear songs, stories and you love to talk before bed.

You have a blast with daddy.  He likes to play ball with you and watch you ride your bikes.  He does his wrestling moves on you but most of the time you aren't a big fan, only because you don't like to be locked down, but you like to lock him down.  Soon, my son, you will be locking him down. When grilling season started, you needed to have your play grill outside beside daddy and you love to cuddle with him

You like to be comfy and only wear jeans sometimes, very rarely, you are much more comfortable in comfy pants and a shirt.  You are very good at dressing yourself and usually match.

If you watch TV and it's still not a lot (like your brother) you will choose, Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger and Henry Hugglemonster.

You are having a blast playing Spot It, Go Fish and Memory with me.  You are very good at it too. You always beat me at Memory! 

You also love the ipad just like your big brother.  It's amazing really because when we first started Despicable me, you weren't very good, but now you are awesome!  You like Sonic too.  You love to do puzzles on the ipad as well as on the floor. 

John David, we better start getting ready to call you JD because I'm sure that is what they will call you on the team.  You start your first t-ball practice when we get back from Disney and you will be a star.  I'm so impressed with your ability to HIT the ball with no tee, and you hit it hard!  I feel for the pitchers because they are going to get a lot of line drives right back at them.  Your aim is awesome.  I'm just in awe of how good you are at hitting and throwing.  I hear soccer is in the fall, if t-ball goes well maybe you'll like soccer too. It doesn't matter what kind of ball it is, you love them all.  When we go to the park, you want to bring your football, basketball or just any kind of ball.

We are so lucky because you love to make our coffee in the morning and you love to make pancakes with Grandma.  We like to call it a cup of Johnny and your pancakes are delicious.  You will set the table for us too, so helpful you are!

 You are amazing John David.  Mommy and Daddy just think you are more caring little boy out there.  We hope you have a wonderful birthday and year.  This summer should be so much fun.  Can't wait to see you jump in the pool this year!  Happy Birthday, buddy!