Animated Ruckus Turns 4!

Taking a ride with Dad to begin the celebration

We partied at the park and Little C was trying to prove he could move the picnic table all by himself.

It turned out he needed a little extra help - I'm sure it was all the Baby.

Dressed in some of his b-day spoils that he so kindly shared with Lou. (p.s. Lou is wearing the present he  picked out for Ruckus - I know with a surety this was more than likely a premeditated-Lou-plan)

All Ruckus wanted for his b-day were lollipops. No joke. He was thrilled when he received a larger quantity than any 4 year old should be in possession of.

Little C sitting atop his perch at the park.

Finishing the celebration off with a "personal ice cream cone cake".
(Takes zero work and the title makes your child feel like a million bucks :)

Insistent upon eating his serving from the bottom.

There's my sweet ham face boy! 

Dear Little Ruckus,

You simply melt my heart you little stinker. I think you make me laugh at least 57 times a day. You are so clever and witty... you were born with an art for the comedic and it lightens my load.

A couple months ago we had to shave your head completely bald after you decided to do a self makeover with a pair of scissors. About a week after that you got the worst - absolutely no warning - diarrhea when we were in the middle of Fred Meyer. I whisked you off to the bathroom stall where we threw away your very non-salvageable underwear. Once you realized you'd have to put your pants back on without an under garment you freaked....

because...

this meant that you must be an alien.

Because aliens are bald and they don't wear underwear!

You were crying.

I was laughing.

Trying to explain to you that you were very much a human...

and no lack of hair, or underwear

would ever change that.

Your creative mind.

I love it. 

You cannot get enough of dressing up in various costumes and you must have a container filled with all sorts of treasures with you at all times. 

You are an observant fellow; silently, almost secretly learning.

When we do "school" at home - you sit there, sometimes responding but mostly it appears as if you couldn't care less about what we're discussing until a few days later you bring something up, or we're reviewing the previous lesson taught, and you know all the answers like you'd been an obvious active participant the whole time.

It amazes me.

You're a very smart boy.

You could play all day with your brothers. You enjoy them immensely but you're not a follower. If there's something else you'd rather be doing you're not afraid to say so which can be quite bothersome to your older brothers. But mostly you're just easy going -and want to play, play, play.

You are the last one... the very last one to finish all of your meals. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner - it doesn't matter.

Eating is a social event for you and you must be chatting the whole time. :)

You like to draw little pictures of characters with markers on the tips of your fingers. You call them your puppets and are so excited when I let you draw more than one so they can have friends.

You are tough and can hold your own in this little household. You'd rather play than fight... but if someone (a brother) ticks you off, you are a solid opponent.

You love candy, pop, SUGAR... anything sweet. While your siblings are picking out toys, you are drooling in the candy aisle. 

Every month you can pick out something to earn that we place in the very top of your closest until you have twenty stickers on your chart. A few months back you chose Cheetos as your prize to earn. It was the perfect motivator. 

You are a lover and protector to your family.

When any of us are leaving to run an errand, going to school, or when Daddy goes to work, you must receive a hug and a kiss and also say - I love you, goodbye.

If this for some reason doesn't happen you are so very distraught. 

And there is only one volume of distraught from you. Loud. :)

The other day you were going outside to play and shut the door quickly behind you.

Not a second later you opened it and said,

I love you Mom.

You closed the door again and then swung it back open adding,

And don't forget to floss. :)

What? So funny. Plus I really need that reminder. :)

You are a sensitive,wonderful little spirit who meshes with everyone you meet. You just love everyone. You for sure can be head strong, but you are a lover at heart and so kind.

With your b-day money from Buckabu and Papa you made sure you spent your money in such a way that you could afford to get your brothers something as well. You want everyone to be happy.

You have a gift for making us feel loved.

I love you sweetheart. I love that our Heavenly Father sent your spunky, hilarious, tender self to our home.

Love,

Mama