Henry is Four

We celebrated Henry's birthday a little late this year.

Before his birthday, Henry didn't want to turn four.

Now, he tells everyone who will listen that he's four.

We celebrated his birthday with a few presents and a birthday meal:
spaghetti and meatballs, blue jigglers, pineapple, and chocolate banana cake.

Henry currently loves dinosaurs and dragons.
He loves the show Wild Kratts and will often run around the house in the middle of the show
to "activate" and "deactivate" his animal powers.

So much growth has happened within the last year:

Henry and Maggie are best buds (most of the time),

his communication skills have improved,

we don't sit in time out nearly as often,

he has learned colors, numbers, letters, and so much more,

his obedience is getting better,

he is a helper when he wants to be,

and he is no longer in diapers (although sometimes I wonder if he should be).

The same gifts and attributes that I've always loved about Henry still exist:

his happiness and love of life,

the affection he freely offers,

the enjoyment he receives from making others laugh,

his infectious laugh,

his energy.

Some more recent discoveries about Henry include:
he is a hard worker when he wants to be
(he does well with his chores when he has the right motivation--usually a movie),
he is a social butterfly and loves to be around friends and talk with strangers,
Maggie can be a good motivator to try new things
(Henry now rides his big boy bike thanks to Maggie showing him that she could do it),
and he has the ability to listen like his dad
(i.e. sometimes when I don't think he's listening he really is).

Henry is still stubborn through and through.
Sometimes it is difficult to find the right thing to motivate him.
Sometimes nothing but his own desire motivates him.
I am constantly reminding myself his stubbornness will be used for good someday.
I was reminded from my mother-in-law how difficult it is to be a toddler:
someone telling you what to do and when to do it nearly all day long,
and he just wants some independence and freedom.

Henry is my "cute boy."
I hope he always lets me call him that.
That face of his always melts my heart:
his eyes, his smile....

We sure do love you, cute boy!