to Drew:

Dear Drew,

A few times this week,  I've had to shake my head in amazement at the big boy you are becoming. You really are changing right before my very eyes.

I want to take a moment to let you know how proud of you I am and to record these thoughts for you. You won't understand all of this now, but someday....

Three wasn't really the easiest age for you, or for me as your parent. There were lots of power struggles and frustration. Time-outs happened on a daily, and sometimes even hourly, basis. You had little patience when things were not going the way you thought they should go. You were as sweet as you could be about 75% of the time, but the other 25%?..... well..... you kept life interesting. I used to describe you as the spice in our family.

Four has been just the opposite. I just honestly can't even believe the change. You just "get" things now, things that I talked myself hoarse trying to make you understand just six months ago. You do not get as frustrated with life and are so much more easygoing.  Though you don't always like them, you have begun to understand that your choices have consequences.  You are growing into such a responsible, sweet, loving kid. Daddy and I keep saying how much we love to see you trying so hard to do the right thing and to make good choices.

There is so much about you to love at this age, Andrew Henry.

You are a happy kid, quick to crack a smile, make a joke, or giggle. You make us laugh- genuinely laugh- with some of the things you come up with. Two different adults have commented recently that you have a really good sense of humor. Your smile is just contagious to me. It's a great, great smile.

You love your family. You call Katie your "sweet sweet girl" multiple times a day and love to hug and kiss and love on her. You love for Gracie to spend time with you. You idolize your big brother and want to do everything that he does. You think your daddy is about the funniest person alive. You frequently say to me, "I really just love you, Mommy" or find my lap for a little cuddle time.

You are a chatterbox and have quite a vocabulary. You say things sometimes that are just so you that we have to smile. You love the word "actually" and use it a hundred times a day. You are full of life and love to make up stories. You tell the best jokes- jokes that are hilarious only because they aren't actually funny at all.

You are doing so, so well at school. I can't believe the change you've undergone in this area of your life. Seeing your excitement for school each day, it is hard to believe you are the same child who struggled so badly at preschool drop off just last year. Your teachers say you are a leader in the class and a joy to teach.

You are writing your name and all of the letters of the alphabet. You like for me to ask you what sounds the letters make. You enjoy counting to twenty. You draw the cutest pictures. You really enjoy making my grocery list for me; it takes a while, but you write out each and every item I tell you.

You like to help out around the house. It makes you happy to do chores when Gracie and Luke do theirs. You especially enjoy baking with me; I don't think many things make you happier than getting to help in the kitchen.

You are becoming pretty independent. You get yourself ready each morning as Gracie and Luke get ready for school. You shower and put on your pajamas in the evening. You put yourself to sleep after I read to you at night. You can entertain yourself quietly while waiting for your siblings at their various lessons. You help me when we run errands instead of whining about doing them.

You sing songs with great enthusiasm and have a surprisingly good ear for lyrics. If you don't know what is being said, you just make up your own lyrics.

You are fun company and I love spending our days together. My life feels a little quiet when you are at preschool three mornings a week. It is a rare day when I don't have a Drew story to share with Daddy at the end of the day.

In short, my sweet boy, you really make me one proud mama these days.  I love you to pieces and I am so lucky to have you as my little boy.

Love,
Mommy