Dear 4-year-old Jack...

Dearest Jack,
You are now 4 years old...I am a little tardy is writing you your birthday letter. I have been making mental notes of what I wanted to write about and now I find it hard to know where to begin.

Just today you demonstrated such great faith...you bowed your head at the table while we were writing thank you notes and began to pray silently. I was busy doing something else and I asked you a question. When I realized I had interrupted you, I apologized. You told me you were praying in your head that you and Audrey would feel better soon (because you both had colds). It's not too often that I stop what I am doing and bow my head rather than pushing through when I feel tired or sick. Thank you for this reminder to petition our Lord throughout the day. Recently I have felt that you may be playing a greater role in my life than I in yours'. You have taught me countless things including how to accept clutter when it means that fun is being had, how to react with gentleness and patience when disobedience occurs, how to think outside the box when creating anything, when to apply grace even when a punishment deserved, how to show affection, how to treat everyone differently based on their love language, and on and on. I do want to say thank you for all the many ways that God has used you, a little boy, to refine me. Amazing.

Your dad and I are so proud of you and what a caring, kind, brave, persistent, creative and fun boy you are. Every day before we go to sleep we share funny and inspiring stories from the day. You never fail to show us something new that you can do or outsmart us somehow! Most recently I have been so impressed with how responsible you are. Every night you carry your plate and cup to the counter to help clean up, you always put your pjs away after getting dressed and you take great initiative in caring for Henry by letting him outside and brushing him.

You are also very helpful, no matter the task. I have a hard time thinking of a chore that you would not do with a cheerful heart if you thought it would help mommy or daddy (I have a feeling this will change as you age!). After making cookies one day, you cleaned all the dishes yourself without me even asking you to. The excessive amount of bubbles from the dish soap may have been your incentive, but you were very proud of yourself in the end and I could tell how much our praise lifted you up.

I also love seeing you interact with your sister. You are very protective of her and are always making sure she is safe. You have quickly picked up on what toys are too small for her and keeping your eyes peeled when she tries to dive over the back of the couch. The way she looks at you just melts my heart. She truly thinks you are the best thing in the world. You make her laugh when I struggle to even make her smile. When your dad was gone recently for a business trip, you helped me brush her teeth by holding her hands down. She thought this was hilarious whereas when your dad has helped me she only cries and fights us. You are a wonderful role model for her and I pray that you and she will have a deep relationship throughout your lives.

Here are a few other tidbits about what you have been up to recently:
*You excelled in swim lessons this summer! You made so much progress and even started swimming on your own (minus being able to come up to take a breath!) You have become so brave and love jumping off the edge and diving for toys.
*You are still quite the picky eater and require disciplinary action if you do not eat. Dessert will soon be phased out but for now its the only way to get you to eat.
*You love to play pretend...anything! It really depends on what you did that day or what show you just watched, whether it be lion king or rolly pollies!
*You still love to show off your karate moves.
*You ask tons of why questions, but not just "why". You always have a very detailed why-question and do not rest until you feel you have uncovered the root cause of something. I do love talking with you, but sometimes mommy has to request a break to rest!
You still take naps and if you do not, then you are just miserable and crying at the drop of a hat! Good thing preschool still allows them!
*You are my favorite little boy in the entire world!

Here are your birthday questions:

What is your full name? Jack Harrison Trauth

How old are you? 4

Favorite color? Blue

Favorite toy? R2D2

Favorite fruit? Strawberries

Favorite tv show? Team Umizoomi

Favorite thing to eat for lunch? PB and Honey

Favorite outfit? Batman shirt (with cape)

Favorite game to play? Caribou Island

Favorite snack? Cheeze-its

Favorite animal? Crocodile

Favorite song? Spiderman

Favorite book? Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee Defeat the Scraplets

Who is your best friend? Ben

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play Baseball

Favorite drink? Sprite

Favorite holiday? Easter because Jesus died for our sins

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Momo

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Bagel 

What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Cheese and pizza

What do you want to be when you grow up? A policeman

What is your favorite thing to do with daddy? Play Caribou Island

and mommy? Take Henry on a walk

and Audrey? Play pass (you pass a toy back and forth)

If you could have any superpower what would it be? Lightening

Favorite super hero? Superman

Do you think you will get married one day? To whom? Yes, Audrey. I don't know who I'm going to marry. 

Tell me about Jesus. He friendly with me. He talks to me. I get to pray with Him.