Four and a Half

Even though it's officially "winter" in Texas, we're still playing outside every afternoon. The weather has been beautiful! While the kids play, I usually sort through mail on the driveway or tidy the garage, but some days I pull out my camera and just snap away while the little ones play unaware. It occurred to me the other day how truly grown up my little boy has become. He doesn't need Mommy to help him pull his bike out of the driveway or remind him about looking out for cars in the street. Can you believe he's four and a half? Sigh...

I couldn't resist sharing these photos of my big boy. It seems like yesterday he was a chubby-cheeked toddler! Now Cooper is taller than most of my kindergarteners at school and weighs nearly 60 pounds. He loves to ride bikes and scooters with the neighbor friends when we get home from school. (He's crossing his fingers for a green scooter of his own for Christmas!) It seems like he's growing more every day. Yesterday he told me the sounds that each letter makes. Every single one! My teacher's heart was singing! He writes his name and spells it, too. He adores animals - from runaway squirrels to neighbor cats. I love that he has a tender heart for animals - (he didn't get that from his mom!) He's learning about being a good friend and what a joy it's been to watch him develop meaningful friendships! No matter how big he gets, he will always know how to make me smile: