4.

My baby is FOUR! 

I have never been so happy to hear that number, because (fingers crossed) maybe that means the #threenager days are coming to an end. People kept saying, "it's not terrible two's, it's terrible three's," and I didn't want to believe it, but your little three year old stubborn and bossy (I like to use the word, determined) way really threw me for a loop. On the flip side, you can also be incredibly sweet and so so caring. You are such a great big brother to your baby sister and to mowgli dog, and that melts my heart on the daily. I keep telling myself, you have to be so "determined" and strong willed if you are going to make it in this world...and River, you are not only going to make it, you are going to move mountains!

 You are so special and oh so smart. You say things that constantly blow me away....like, "how did you even know that?" is what I am constantly asking myself when I am with you. For the times I want to rip my hair out, there are a bazillion more times that I want to scoop you up in my arms, hold you tight, and never let you grow up! I love you more than my whole heart,  and more than all the stars in the sky. 

You are our world (and you know it;)). 

Life Lately According to River....

Favorite color: black, cherry red, and dark blue...and definitely not yellow, "because that is a girl color"
Favorite book: Under The Ocean (and can say it word for word)
Favorite song: Keep it Mello by Marshmello, or Pump it by BEPs
Favorite movie: Moana
Favorite thing to do: play with dad (usually wrestling, biking, or demolition derby cars)
Favorite animal: spiders, and wild things (cheetahs, bears, and hyenas...but not orcas...doesn't like that they are called killer whales;))
Favorite drink: coconut water
Favorite food: chips and salsa
Favorite Superhero: Hulk
Favorite Museum: Dinosaur Museum
Most excited about being a big brother=giving Rumi a bottle, and changing her diaper (but not a poopy one;))
Friends at school: Jake and Jax
If he could live anywhere in the world=Hawaii

My favorite sayings:
He told me in the car he didn't like me and wanted a new mom. I asked him what kind of mom he wanted and he said, "I want a Hawaii mom!"

I left a toy in the other room and he said, "don't leave your toy or a robin is going to take it." (robin=robber)

We were watching conference the other weekend and he heard "Jesus suffered on the cross." Then later River tells us, "hey Jesus didn't suffer from short term memory loss, he suffered on the cross." (referring to dory the fish who "suffers" from short term memory loss.)

When he pretends to sleep he says, "honk-sheee honk-sheee"

"Boys have a penis and girls have a gina"

In his prayer, he asked to bless Jesus and thanked him for dying for us, and also asked to bless the bad guys so they can be happy like Jesus too. Sweetest soul. And yes, I did start crying.

I asked River what he wanted to be/do when he gets big like Papa. I told him he could do anything he wanted or do something that makes him feel happy. We talked about race car drivers and soccer players. Then River thought for a minute and said, "i want to be a professional potato bug-roller-over." i died. haha. *we always flip over so many potato bugs that fall off the curb on their back when we take our dog out in the morning. I guess saving potato bugs makes him feel super happy;) And that's what I love about him. He's the best.

happy birthday river monster.
we love you to infinity and beyond.

xo