Today you're 4

Dear Eli,

It's hard to believe that four years has gone by since you came into our life. I'm so glad you're mine. We celebrated pirate style today. Many of your friends came to celebrate with you. We decorated our treasure boxes, played a game of pin the treasure on the map, walked the plank & of course searched for treasure and you enjoyed every second of it! I will never pass up an opportunity to celebrate your life & I am always happy to tell you how much I love you.

I love your curiosity and eagerness to make a friend wherever we go. I love how you get so excited when we do fun things. Your enthusiasm is so contagious! I love how every morning you come in and ask to go downstairs and watch tv and have warm milk--it's as if you've never asked, but every morning it's the same thing. I like how you need your blankie when you feel sad or tired. One day though, it's going to fall apart and we'll have to say goodbye to ol' dogga. I'm sure by then your jr. high friends will help replace its comfort :) It's fun to see you build relationships with your nana, papa, grandma and grandpa & all your aunts, uncles and cousins. I can tell you'll always surround yourself with lots of good people & I know you'll always help them smile. Thanks for continually helping me smile!

Happy birthday to my dear boy!

love, Mom

p.s. Although we gave you a darth vader costume for your birthday, I hope you realize that we'll always work hard to stay away from the dark side. :)