Brayden my 4 year old

Dear Brayden, on the eve of your birthday....
How in the WORLD are you already 4?!?!?  Wow...time really does go by quick.  You are growing like a weed....seriously....I think you have had numerous growth spurts this year (you think that word is SO funny) and at this rate, your talk of wanting to play basketball with the Bulls may come true!  You are tall and solid....but hey that's good for a boy!
Not only have you grown so much physically....you have grown so much emotionally and socially.  Your tantrums are mush less frequent and shorter lived (this is a far cry from where we were this summer).  You understand consequences for your actions, so we are making strides in that area.  I enjoy watching you play and interact with other kids as well as play independently.  The other day, I sat back and watched you play with your superheros, legos and dinosaurs.....one was eating the other and the superheors were saving each other....but I was just in awe of your imagination and the way that you can play independently and so creatively!
You have also become an expert bike rider (with training wheels) but you can do it...and well....and now our walks to the park have transitioned in to rides to the park.  I LOVE watching you help your brother....which is becoming more frequent.  I love watching you "read" to him and love when you give him advice and tell him what mom and dad want him to do. You have developed a love for angry birds, star wars, superheors and ninja turtles....and made it clear that somethings (like princesses) are just for girls!
You have a great smile....you always have....and I love to hear you laugh!  I love that you are beginning to get a little embarrassed when you toot...and you want to make sure that I don't tell your teachers or friends that you do that....however in the privacy of our own home....it is not holds bars, in that regard.
You love going to school---even though the first day was really hard---each day has gotten better and better.  I love looking at the world through your eyes----so innocent and so amazed by everything that is so new.  I will never forget the day that you came home and were so excited because you played a game about a duck and goose at school (duck, duck, goose).  You are excited to share what you do each day---you found out that you like honey crisp apples and that you like to play dominoes.  You love to learn....and I love to watch you learn new things.  You are great at making crafts and are obsessed with coloring and stickers currently...seriously we have to limit the amount of stickers that you use daily.
You LOVE the library....it is one of your favorite places to go...and before we leave, you have to have to time to read each book.  You have really turned into a little boy....fearless on the playground, ready to get dirty and take off on your bike or go at any time.  You have found a love for pizza....pepperoni...and could possibly eat that and salami and cheese everyday.  Some how you discovered Scooby Doo....and now that is your show you want to watch in the morning....such a good throwback!  You still DO NOT like to be stylish....and I am not sure if you will ever want to wear a colored or button shirt....but that's is okay!
You are very sweet and will still snuggle (when you have the time or need a massage/back scratch).   Sleeping in....well that does not happen for you...I relish the days that you stay in bed until 6am....but you are still napping each day (and when you don't it shows).
I love you so much...and thanks for letting me read to you tonight, those sappy birthday books that I must read each year...."On the Night that You Were Born" and "Ill Love Your Forever"  you were so sweet to not complain even though every other word I would sniffle and tear up....and of course you cracked me up, when you asked me why I was sad and why I had a dirty face (my mascara streaks)---I am not sad, but love watching you grow (but with each growing and exciting new moment, I get a tiny bit sad that my baby is no longer a baby....even though.... you will always be my baby).  I Love you!!!!