Becoming Four

Dear Cameron,
It's here. The day you've been talking about for the last 3, er 6 months. When your posse started to play "birthday party" at school I knew that I was in for it. This was the year we would cave and there would be an actual party. We'd have to decide on who to invite, and (with 20 kids in your class) who to kindly not invite. We'd have to have discussions about not making anyone feel badly, about using our manners and thanking people. There have been long talks about the difference between your actual birth.day and the day that you have your party. These things can all be very confusing for a 4 year old.

We learn so much from you every. single. day.
You make us laugh in a way that no one else can.
You have my clumsiness and your Dad's iron will. You are shy in new situations but you rise to the occasion once you're comfortable.  Four seems so big, almost 14 really. I mean you have leg hair. Like legit leg hair! I feel like I'll be buying you deodorant next week. You are factual, curious and determined. The sweet chubby baby that I walked non-stop around the house is getting taller and I can even see an ab muscle or two! Where did those lovable baby-rolls go?

You love to be just a little mischievous and your eyes sparkle when you realize that we're on to you.  For now it's very innocent and sweet, boy do I hope it stays that way.

You are starting to recognize words when we're out. You always want to know what the store, restaurant or place is called so that you can remember it next time. You're interested in time and wanting to know what time it is, what time you go to bed, what time we leave, etc.

You love Paw Patrol, Bob the Builder and taking walks to look for treasure. Your brother is your very best friend. for now.  Maybe it's because you can boss him around. for now.

You draw me maps. I feel like this is an extension from when you were little. You still love to park everything in neat places. Now you draw these maps knowing where each neighbor lives and you guide/direct me home every day.

You're coloring inside of the lines. How did this happen so fast?

Your Aunts have introduced you to "snap chat" and you think it's hysterical. I imagine by the time that you're in high school you'll look back and think it's super archaic but for now watching yourself do silly things or look like a dog is really very entertaining.

You're noticing girls. It's had me a little flustered lately. Daddy high-fives you when we hear funny stories from school. I turn to mush and blush.  You have slow-danced already, apparently to fast music, too. I gotta tell ya, this is a baller move!  As a girl (even though I'm your Mom) a guy that can dance or is willing to dance always wins the girl. Also, apparently there is a girl in your class praying that you will be her husband and that she can kiss you. EEEK! Can it be? How do these kids even know that stuff?

My Favorites, by: Cameron
Favorite food: sandwiches and rolls (pizza rolls)
Favorite song: Itsy Bitsy Spider & The Tweet Song ("Rockin' Robin")
Favorite movie: Blaze
Favorite thing to play: blocks and trucks or car wash
Favorite sport: soccer
Favorite animal: frog and elephant
What do you want to be when you grow up? "When I turn 5 I want to be a bus driver. Then when Payton turns 5, can he be a bus driver, too?"
Where do you want to live when you get big? At the bus stop

Sweet boy, we've made to 4! We love you and wish you an amazing 4th year. May there be magical memories that you hold in your heart of hearts and loads laughter that fills your soul until your eyes shimmer with love. May you continue to learn, to teach and to grow. For growth is what we live by.
Happy Birthday, Cameron!
We love you to the moon & back!

PS Before I forget to say it, every once in a while, color outside the lines just because, ok? Sometimes it feels good to push the limits. Wait. What am I thinking? Did I forget who your parents are? :)

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

When life slows down do you enjoy it as much? Does the hard stuff really get easier eventually? or does it just change?

When I catch up with family or friends that I haven't talked to in a while and they ask me what we've been up to, I sometimes scramble for the big stuff. Truth is, the big stuff is the little stuff and vice versa.

There are gifts in my routines and our family-grind that don't always pop up in my stories.  The ordinary becomes extraordinary, big or small moments - it's the time that blesses us. 

Because these little moments happen and then we blink.

Longer nights.

Slumber parties.

Tree Houses: where dreams are made

The ordinary day can contain: temper-tantrums, dirty diapers, rushed meals and exhaustion.  It can contain 3 tries to get little brother to bed PLUS an extra trip to the bathroom for big brother, but, better yet, it can contain: hugs and kisses, love and laughter, soccer goals, great throws, dance parties, phrases that make you wonder why it wasn't caught on camera.

Something cool comes up that I instantly want to try and take the boys to, and then we go and we all wish that we had just spent the time together at home.  

The Best of an Ordinary Day:

* Two boys in super hero capes laughing as they run around asking me to, "say it again mommy. say, 'Super Cameron to the rescue!'"

* "Tee-Tee. Pee-Pee. M&M." (you know what that means right?)

* A temper-tantrum because your brother wants to take a bath and you want to take a shower, but you have to get clean together.

* Shooting baskets and teaching HORSE.

* Mixing eggs and perfecting mickey-mouse pancakes

The Best of an Extra-Ordinary Day: 

* Soccer is back and you're kid is a superstar!

* The boys watching (more like gazing) their Dad & Uncle play catch in the street and then showing off their very best throws, too. Because, obviously, they want to be just like them.

* Eating frosting - and making a mess doing it!

* Splashing in puddles and getting soaked!

* A spontaneous Father-Son trip to the toy store on a rainy day while the littlest little is still napping.  When they return, you realize that the best thing they purchased were glow in the dark stars.

Life is full and it's real. We struggle and we laugh. We're in the depths of our "busy" Spring right now, but the lake and the breeze of summer are peeking through and we'll be having picnics on the boat before we know it!  We'll keep soaking in the time that we have, ordinary or extra-ordinary, because - let's face it, we're lucky to have the gift of it at all.