Happy Happy Birthday, Charlie!
Yet another year has flown by. It is so hard for Scott and I to believe that our baby is four years old already! This past year we have seen Charlie grow and learn so much. While he's still our super shy guy (seriously where did he come from?), his sensitivity is one of his best qualities.
He's the quiet one at school. Rarely volunteers to answer and doesn't like to be put in the spot light (and some days doesn't even raise his hand when they call his name for attendance)...but when he's one-on-one with the teachers, they are amazed. We knew a French immersion program would be a challenge for him (for any 3 year old!) but he has adjusted so well. Math is definitely his forte, as he can add and subtract basic numbers without us even attempting to teach him. He can even do simple division ("Mom, we have 6 jelly beans, so Sam and I each get 3"). He doesn't love to color, and often finishes his coloring "schoolwork" as quickly as possible, but loves to build things (with blocks, clay, rocks). He loves to practice writing his letters, and doing workbooks with me at home...which unfortunately doesn't happen often.
Charlie is an amazing big brother. While he is often found bossing Sam around, he also has been the best teacher! I hear him correcting Sam's speech often ("Sam, after you throw the ball, you say, 'I THREW it' not 'I throw it'") and teaching him letters and numbers. The two boys play so well together, building, throwing balls, or playing pretend. Yesterday at our Easter egg hunt, he ran and collected a bunch of eggs right away. He looked back and saw Sam had not picked up any yet, and stopped gathering for himself so he could coach Sam. He told me, "Mom, I think I have enough eggs, can I help Sam?" and proceeded to direct Sam to several eggs. The boys are also fiercely competitive at times, so it's not always so pretty, but they do a great job.
Charlie also loves to play outside--riding his bike, playing baseball, or helping me in the garden. We also love to cook together; he always wants to try what we're making before we cook it, even if it's something like plain flour (gross, in my opinion). And he's a great eater, almost always finishing whatever we put in front of him. He told the doctor his favorite foods are pears, kiwi, and potato soup (who knew?).
While I was cleaning the kitchen this morning, Charlie sat down next to Julia's bouncy seat and started talking to her. He imitates our tone and coos back at her, and offered her a few Easter eggs. After she swatted away a blue one, I heard him say "Here Julia, you probably want the pink one. Do you want it? Here you go".
With Charlie's birthday falling on Easter, we're having a small family dinner tonight to celebrate my big boy. He helped me make a chocolate cake this morning from scratch (a first for us...) and can't wait to see it decorated when he wakes up from his nap. Loving my first born like crazy today...Happy 4th Birthday, Charlie!
