December 2014: 51 months (4 years and three months old)

Dear Patrick,

• You told me that when you are a grown-up, you can chew bubble-gum. I love in your four-year-old mind that adulthood is defined by gum.
• I like obsobservations you've made this month: Noticing that you were both dressed in blue sweaters, you said to your father one morning, “Dad, we are a couple of cool dudes.” And then another time when I asked if you had to go to the potty, you replied, "No, I just like holding my penis." Another time, I walked into the kitchen and you were laughing to yourself as you sat eating your breakfast at the island. When I asked you what was funny, you said, “Rivers said zucchini at school” and continued to chuckle like an old man with great memories.
• You’ve started to do this little click sound (or maybe its more of a smack) with your mouth in between thoughts when you talk.  When you get excited, there is a lot more smacking.
• I attended a neighborhood “traffic calming meeting” at the beginning of the month, and I’m making note of it now in your letters so that if/when a speed bump occurs on Northwood Ave, you will know that your parents had a hand in making it happen.
• We got an advent calendar for the first time this year and now you eat chocolate for breakfast.
• Your Dad took you to the doctor to get your four-year-old shots this month and when I asked you later that day how it went, you told me that you were “sad brave,” which is the most perfect description.
• I went to a holiday party this month for work and wore the jingle bell necklace you made last year at school. When I picked you up later that day, I told you how every time I looked at my necklace it made me think of you. You said, “Mom, every time I look in the sky, I think of you.” So, I asked what about the sky made you think of me, and you simply said, “love.” I hope I -- always and forever -- remind you of love.
• “Its time for bed,” you announced for yourself after Rescue Bots one evening when your father and I were still eating our dinner at the table and failed to look at the clock.  Is it hard being a perfect child?
• Your dad and I wore your handmade Christmas reindeer and tree hand print sweatshirts, which you made last year, to my holiday party at work and we were a hit. A tradition has been created.
• Dr. Kena gave you a timer after your dentist appointment and you LOVE brushing your teeth until the blue sand has run through the hourglass.
• One evening over dinner, you sang “Angels We Have Heard On High” in tune and with perfect Latin pronunciation. It was beautiful.  
• You picked our Christmas tree this year - well, okay, honestly, your father and I steered you in the right direction -- to the ones that would actually fit in our house.
• Sonny, Katie, Jono, Jennifer and Jack all came to Greenville, highlighting the holiday with Legos, socks galore, Pick-up-Sticks, fighting with your uncles, “Nobble” card game and great food!  And this year, cousin Jack does everything you do - he is a little copy-cat and seems to worship his older cousin. You received a bat-mobile and a jet transformer from Santa, which were the two items on your list and you seemed very happy!  A great Christmas.