Happy 4th Birthday, Aaron

Dear Aaron,

Happy birthday, kiddo!

It has been such an exciting year with you.

You attended preschool (three different ones, actually), joined the ranks of Officially Potty Trained, spent half a year living in Hawaii, became an older brother, and are now turning a whopping four years old! That's a lot of transition for a kid.

Sometimes changes are challenging for you. You love routine and predictability, like your momma. But through the changes, you are growing up into an incredible boy.

Your role as a big brother has come with new territory. Now you share your parents, your room, your toys. To do that with an infant who spends lots of time crying and grabbing fistfuls of your hair is commendable. Despite moments of frustration toward your sister, you really work at being kind, gentle, and patient. You make her laugh with your crazy dancing and high energy, and it's so fun to watch your sibling relationship with each other.

Living up to your Chinese middle name, you have had moments of strength and courage. A few months ago, you had your first dentist visit. As we sat in the waiting room, you told me you were scared and didn't want to have a check up. So we talked about courage, and what it means to do something even though we feel afraid. You know what? You did it. You met the dentist, sat in the big chair, and endured a dental check up. Afterward, you told me, "Mom, even though I was scared, I was courageous!" That was pretty awesome.

I am in awe of how much you love learning. You constantly ask us questions, until we run out of answers. How do caterpillars change into butterflies? Why did Goliath fight against God's people? Sometimes it drives me crazy how many questions you have, but then I remember that curiosity is such a valuable quality that will serve you well.

Your favorite activities include playing at the park, reading stories together, Boys Breakfast with dad, dressing in your superhero cape, watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates, playing with water, dancing to the Black Eyed Peas, telling us about your high and low points from school, playing hide-and-go-seek, watching all the garbage trucks go by on Monday mornings, and eating ice cream. Your favorite is always ice cream.

Even though I am your mother, it seems like your growth and development have little to do with me at all. Every day I have the pleasure of witnessing you becoming your own person, and I love it.

I love you, always and forever.

Mom