Happy Birthday Jack!

The Birthday Boy

By your 4th birthday, you:

1. Loved the movie Toy Story, so much so that when you were in a sassy mood you quoted a line from it saying, "Mom, 'you're a sad, strange little man.'" I did not appreciate that, and I made you return the movie that afternoon.
2. Requested that Dad tell you a "story about Jerry" almost nightly. Daddy made up Jerry, a little boy that he talks to at work. Then, at bedtime he would tell you all about Jerry's crazy adventures. You loved it.
3. Sang "You've got a friend in me" with gusto. It made me smile.
4. Prayed at top volume at mealtime, no matter if we were at home at the dining room table, outside on a picnic blanket, or in a restaurant. You rarely remembered to thank God for the food, but you rarely forgot to ask God's blessing for someone you knew who was hurting.
5. Made elaborate plans out of the blue that sounded like so much fun. "Mom, after nap, let's go to the beach!" "Mom, last morning, when we went to the Airzoo in Michigan? That was fun. Let's do that today." "In the morning, let's go camping with Daddy. How 'bout that?"
6. Used phrases like "last morning"--which pretty much stood for any time in the past, "my city"--a place where everything exciting happened, "that's repossible," and "when I grow up to be a big girl..."
7. Learned memory verses that started with the letters of the alphabet. When you'd get to "C," you'd say, "Children, obey his parents in the Lord for this is right," and you'd point to your rear end when you'd recite "F," "For the wages of sin is death, BUTT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
8. Listened to a lively, upbeat Disney Christmas CD your dad made for you during the Christmas season every night at bedtime. It was 90 degrees this past Tuesday, but you were in the Christmas spirit.
9. Are everyone's friend. More than one of your friends spoke your name as their first word. You are empathetic, compassionate, mischievious, and playful. As your dad would say, you're "kind of a big deal."
10. Rock as a big brother. You are inclusive, fun, helpful, and loving. Just the other day, I watched as you helped Sam up each level of the play area at Chik-fil-A. You grabbed his legs around his knees and hiked him up three different times until he reached the top and could play with you.

Dad & Mom love you very much, big man! Happy Birthday!