Dear Luke,
You've been telling people frequently lately, "I'm still three. I'm almost four." It won't be long and you'll be telling people you are 4! I have seen so much growth in you these past several months. You no longer sit in your booster seat at the table, but just sit in a regular chair. You usually don't use a bib or even a washcloth at mealtimes anymore. You sleep under a blanket with your head on the pillow and we don't have a safety knob on the door (because you learned how to take them off). You get dressed in the morning and take your pajamas to the laundry basket, only needing help with your socks and button up shirts. You can do things now that are truly helpful, like take Nora's and your milk to the table for mealtime and clear the table when we're finished eating. You love to help carry in the groceries from the car and the last couple of times you have even put some groceries away, in correct places in the pantry and refrigerator. You must be neurotic about organization just like me. :)
You have really come out of your shell and I would not describe you as shy anymore. Even when we went to see Mahpie last week, you were initially unsure about seeing her, which I understood because you didn't know her. But as soon as we walked in, you stood by her, told her how old you are, showed her your crocs and proudly told her about your red sucker. When we go to church, ibloom and preschool, you walk wherever we're going with such confidence. You talk a lot about your friends at preschool and other places, but I also notice that you like to do your own thing. When we are at the park, you don't seem to choose your activities based on what other kids are doing, but will play with whatever you want. I like that about you.
You love to watch the traffic lights and will tell me, "when it's red, you stop." It distresses you a little that I will turn right on red, but you are getting the hang of it. Sometimes if I want to put on my lip gloss or look at my phone at a red light, I will ask you to tell me when it turns green, and you will! You really enjoy reading our Bible lesson every morning at breakfast and will say "we forgot to read our Bible lesson!" You find things funny, like John the Baptist wearing camel's hair and the lost son eating "piggy food." You love to pray before meals. Your most repeated prayer goes like this: "Dear Jesus, thank you for this food and all you give us. Please give us strength. In Jesus' name, Amen." Other nights you mix it up and tonight was especially sweet and sincere. "Dear Jesus, thank you for preschool. Thank you for our house. Thank you for our car. Thank you for our food. We love you. In Jesus' name, Amen."
You and Nora have a special relationship. You still take her toys and are too rough at times, but even if she's bothering you and trying to take your toys, you love to be around her. You want me to pick her up when she's crying, want to go in her room when she's having play time in her crib, and want her to watch for Daddy with you when he comes home. You can be really sweet to her and cheer her on when she tries new things. I love to watch that.
Last week at ibloom we talked about discipline, a repeated lesson from when I first did ibloom 3 years ago. You weren't even a year old yet last time I heard it and now is a completely different season. Discipline is a struggle and it is exhausting, but I felt pleased to realize I see fruit in your life even at this stage. I really am proud of the boy you are becoming. I love you!
Love,
Mommy
