Happy 4th Birthday, Hugmonkey!

My baby Hugmonkey,

I know you're not a baby anymore. But you'll always be my baby. And you still love to cuddle and sit in my lap, so there's that for me to hold onto. You have grown up so much this year, buddy.

You love going to the same school as Ironflower and Lovebug, and you love school in general. You are so friendly and outgoing, all of your classmates' parents get such a kick out of you. You already know how to work a crowd, kiddo.

You love to tell stories. Some of your stories are true and some are not, but you are equally passionate about both. You are so expressive and have such a big vocabulary, I really wish I recorded more of our conversations. You love to listen to stories, too. I'm amazed at how much you've taken in of Harry Potter as I've read it to your brother and sister. You are also a big fan of the The Little Engine That Could, anything by Mo Willems and the Max and Ruby stories.

In the last year, you've gone from being afraid of the water to being excited for swimming lessons. You've gone from being physically aggressive when frustrated, to yelling out your feelings. You've gone from refusing to put your shoes on to dressing yourself. You've gone from being nervous on big slides to climbing up them gleefully. You have grown into such a big, wonderful boy.

You still love trains and Legos, but now you put things together yourself instead of waiting for your brother to do it. You like puzzles and playing with the Rescue Heroes. You especially adore playing with your brother and sister.

You melt my heart every time you tell me you love me. You give amazing hugs on a regular basis. You have the best smile.

Wearing your favorite shoes, your green rainboots. 

I feel so proud and lucky to be your mom. 

love,

Mommy