Good Bye 3's!!!

Dear Eli,

This year has been full of tantrums, defiance, tears, time-outs, lots of bargaining, bribing, and frustration.

Sounds like a good year, eh?

OK, it was not all bad, but it was in fact a very trying year with you. Everything was difficult.  You put up a fight about everything! There were days where I had no idea what set you off and what was going to set you off.  The whining, oh the whining, it never ended.  Your mood would switch without any notice, and one minute you would be happy and the next you were telling me you were going to throw Larry in the trash, or threw yourself on the floor with alligator tears rolling down your face. We had a lot of ups and downs.  A lot of clenching our fists in frustration and a lot of laughing out loud at the hilarious things that came out of your mouth.  You have learned the art of patience (you are not that good at it yet, but you are getting there) and consequences.

But you also grew into this intelligent,  inquisitive little kid.  Your memory is unbelievable. You are witty and funny, and love to run.  You love going to the "covered park" and you have become so much more adventurous this last year! You get along with everyone and are a very gentle, kind kid.  You are getting much better at sharing with Owen, but most of the time, he is the one beating up on you and pushing your buttons.  Yall are partners in crime. We are in trouble with the two of you.  I actually think he helps you loosen up and not take yourself so serious.  You balance each other out very well.  It tugs at my heart to see you two together and how much you guys love and like each other.

You are a wonderful big brother and look out for Cash all the time.  You check on him, and give him toys when he drops them, but your thing with him is rubbing his head.  Every time you see him you come say hi and rub his head and look at him right in the face and talk to him. It melts my heard every single time. I just know that you are going to look out for him as you get older.

You love Legos, Angry Birds (much to my despise), milk, peanut butter, apples, graham crackers, shredded cheese, space, running, Cars, building things, coloring, trucks, Super Heroes and using the iPad.
It is still a struggle to get you to eat, especially dinner.  You love tortillas with peanut butter and honey, that is about the only consistent item you will eat.  Everything else is hit or miss on a daily basis.  You were an early riser as a little baby, and still are to this day.  Now you have a roommate and I hear you waking Owen up at 6 am these days when he would normally sleep at least until 7, we gotta talk about this!

I am so proud of the kid you have become and look forward to watching you grow and learn this next year as a 4 year old! I am happy to leave your 3's behind us and look forward to your Fabulous Fours (fingers crossed!).
Happy birthday to our sweet Eli!