Four Year Letter

Dear Nikos,

It is seriously shocking to think that you are four years old today. I am having major issues wrapping my brain around this, because it seems like only yesterday that you were this squishy little bundle of tears, grunts, and occasional giggles. Yet here we are, and you are most definitely not a baby anymore. Or a toddler, even. You are a full-fledged preschooler. Could we please slow down time, just for a little bit? Because this is going way too fast!

This past year has marked such huge growth for you that it's hard to know where to begin. There's the physical growth, of course! You are stretching out these days, and your once-little legs are now adept at peddling your tricycle at breakneck speeds, sprinting away from your sister, and climbing ladders and stairs frighteningly fast. You use the "big kid" swings at the park, and love to play baseball (you even have your own little lefty glove). You are reaching new heights these days-- literally. You can reach just about anything you need and, when you can't, you have no problem getting the stool and solving the problem without any intervention from us. I won't lie-- we've enjoyed your new abilities to help us out more. You can get your milk cup out of the fridge (along with Maya's) and put them away. You can put your dirty dishes in the sink, and unlock the trash cupboard to toss your trash in. You can blow your own nose, wash your own hands, and do so many things completely on your own. We love seeing you do these things, even if it means you aren't a little baby anymore.

But the changes don't stop there! Oh no! You draw pictures now that actually resemble things. You can write your name, and are constantly telling us what letters various words start with. Your memory for things is absolutely astonishing. You still floor us by recalling things that happened two YEARS ago, when we didn't even think you were remembering them! Seriously. We've always known you were an observant little guy, but your sharp eye and attention to detail are amazing. I swear that you have the eye of an artist and the mind of an engineer-- I can't wait to see how you use your gifts as you grow older!

Other things about you, at the ripe old age of four: You love dinosaurs, cars, planes, building with legos, and animals in general. Your favorite foods are pepperoni pizza, spaghetti, and chili. Your favorite color is brown, and your favorite number is, fittingly, four. Your favorite dinosaur is the t-rex. You officially love swimming, riding the ponies at the pumpkin patch (especially the one named "Chocolate Chip"), and playing with your buddies at daycare. You love your extended family, and shriek with happiness when you get to spend time with them. You look forward to our family movie night every Friday. Really, you are pretty happy with life right now, and you constantly bring a smile to our faces and hearts.

In short, you are a ton of fun to be around these days. You learn new things SO quickly, you get more and more independent by the day, and we love you to pieces. Your sister idolizes you, and you are (more often than not) a shining example of what it means to be a big brother. We love you so much, big boy, and hope that your fifth year is as great as your fourth. You are our favorite boy in the whole wide world!

All our love, ALWAYS,

Mommy, Daddy, & Maya ("Sissy")