Happy Birthday Carter!!

Carter James, Happy 4th Birthday!!!! It has been a great year and we have loved watching you grow up. You have had many first this past year - your first day of school, your first lessons all by yourself, and you became a big brother. I must say you did all of them wonderfully.

You are Mr Social, making friends very easily. We will go on walks around the neighborhood and you will say hi to everyone you meet. You will then say "those are my friends." You would rather be around people than playing with toys. You also say the funniest things and have very cute sayings. Its usually not what you say, but how you say that puts your dad and I in stitches. Such as when we drove by a full parking lot, out of the back seat from you comes " WOW! That IS a lot of PEOPLE!". Or when we go to the zoo and you can see the whole city you say "I can see the WHOLE WIDE WORLD from HERE!" You are also very complimentary. You will be the first to tell me that I look "beautiful" or that you think my shirt or shoes are pretty.

Along those lines you have such a big heart for others. You don't like it when others are upset and will go out of your way to help them feel better. Your big brother is usually the recipient of your kindness. If he has a toy or something you want, you will gladly give it to him to make him happy. You will be the first to share your food,, favorite shirt, or whatever else if someone just mentions they would like it. You have also recently started telling others when they are in the wrong. Because you aren't afraid to talk to anyone, when another kid cuts in line, or takes a toy you let them know they are wrong and to do the right thing.

You have some of the best fine motor skills I have seen in someone your age. You already color in the lines of pictures and you copy letters almost perfectly. You like to say that you are my little artist. You are doing great in your first year of school and your teachers only compliment on what a great kid you are. You also are a very fast runner, and you love to run, as long as there is a race involved.  You did great having swimming lessons this year without Tyler there in class with you. But your favorite thing to do is play with Tyler. You guys come up with such great stories and most of the time play so well together. Just recently your imagination has started flourishing when you play by yourself as well. You are usually playing superheros where someone comes in and "Saves the Day!".

You have become such a great big brother and you take such pride in Nolan. I love watching you take on this role. You love to show him off to everyone and you love to help me take care of him. You also love to give him hugs and kisses and to get your picture taken with him (one of the few times I can count on you smiling for the camera is if you are with Nolan).

We love your sweet heart Carter and your funny sayings and your big personality. They all make you who you are and we wouldn't change a thing. We can't wait to see what this year brings. I love you my Carter Bear!