Today you are Four!

Dear Alex,

Today you are four! Marvelous, energetic, jumping-on the couch, throw yourself down on the floor, cuddle-me four. You are such a delight. Here's why we love you at four:

1) You have such a passion for learning about your passions! Lately it is soccer. I promised you could play on a team when you turned four, but I've had to clarify the team won't start until September. We were at Stanford watching rugby yesterday and you insisted we stay to watch the soccer game - and you were entranced with 30 minutes of warm up "Why is that guy waving his arms?" "Why isn't that guy wearing shinguards?". Tonight you wanted to talk about my soccer cleats, and how they don't touch the ground at the front. In the bath you wanted to know when you would get your cleats, where you would practice, and we both agreed there would be numbers on your jerseys.

2) You've got an energy that is insatiable and irresistible. You will run to our couch at periodic intervals and jump and jump saying you are "getting your exercises". I've given up fighting against your clear urge and we've gotten you a mini trampoline for your birthday (Daddy vetoed the five-foot indoor trampoline which would take up most of the living room). When you get with your friends especially, you can get full of bravado, building construction roads and running the trails with a pure joy. Your happiness is contagious.

3) You are a cuddlebug. At night, you desperately want either Daddy or I to lie next to you and cuddle until you fall asleep. You are growing fast "tomorrow I need new clothes these ones will be up to here cause I'm four now!" but you are still the little guy inside.

4) You are Alex. Happy, or sad, excited or frustrated - we love you.

Love, Mom and Dad

Four!!

Today I am Four!