Dash turned 4 on Dec. 30!  I know it is such a cliche' to remark on how time flies, but it really does seem to go by faster and faster all the time.  Every year at this time, I feel it keenly, brought on less by the typical New Year's reflections and more so (I think) by the fact that Dash and Violet both have birthdays now (Dec. 30 and Jan. 7).

How our boy has grown in the past year!  He is such a free and wild spirit, so much fun to be around and a joy to parent.  I don't want to give you the wrong impression, he can be incredibly challenging as well, but when I stand back and look at him, the core and the heart of him, that is when the deep joy comes in.  He is an amazing person, and I cannot wait to see what God will do with him as he grows into a man.

Dash, we love you!  There are so many things I love about you, but here are just a very few:

I love the way you just stop playing some wild game and pause to say, "Mommy, I love you."

I love your jokes and watching you act out silly scenes.

I love that you have two speeds: OFF and ON!!!

I love your snuggles.

I love the way you describe things.

I love hearing you sing songs and the way you pound on your drum set and sing "Route 66" at the top of your lungs.

I love the times when you and I go out alone and you are my helper and you keep saying, "We are just hanging out together, right, Mom?"

I love hearing you pray, you just start talking to Jesus just like you talk to one of us.

You crack me up!  (and down, and sideways)

I love your surprises... and you are full of them.  I didn't even know you could count as well as you can, but you REALLY surprised me today when I heard you counting in SPANISH! 

You are just COOL, my boy!

And lastly, I love that when the dinosaur comes and eats mommy up in your stories, you always turn into a superhero and save me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DASH!

Love, Mama