Today you are the big 4…

My darlings Rocky and Axl,

Happy 4th Birthday my babies. I know you are 4 -year-olds now, but you will always be my babies. Get over it! haha.

Each year your birthdays pass (or practically every moment where I would just sit and reminisce) I cannot help but think about that fateful day I found out about you both every time. My heart aches every time you grow, every time you learn something new, every time your enunciation for simple words become clear. Mommy and Daddy are so proud and honoured to be your parents.

Since you just turned 4, let’s have a look back at year 3:

Earlier, finally both of you are completely toilet trained, though I am not saying who was first as it still isn’t a competition 😉
Both of you went for your first legit barber hair cuts. At different times though, but happy to report that you are no longer afraid of the clippers.
Both of you are still particular about food. I wish I can give you pizza and sushi every day but that’s not possible, my boys
You understand when I ask you to give me 10 minutes to myself.
You both learned to handle yourselves when you are sick, and can explain to me what’s bothering you instead of always crying.
You are completing your final year at preschool and right now we are preparing for junior kindergarden. You adore your teachers at preschool and will miss them all dearly. You have made friends and mention the same names almost every day with whom you’ve spent the most part of your day. Hopefully can stay in touch.
You both went on your longest road trips – to Florida around Christmas, and to New York/Hershey PA in the summer. You both did amazing on the car rides and learned for the most part, how to entertain yourselves through boring times haha. And bonus points for no bathroom accidents in the car :).
Rocky: you had dental surgery in February, and though it was nerve-wracking for both Mommy and Daddy for you to go through such treatment, you did amazingly well into recovery. You proudly show off your “window” every time you smile. I may just get sad when that tooth starts growing in.
Rocky: You are discovering value in things and like to be sentimental. For example, how you like to collect rocks on every adventure we go to. So far we have 2: One from Mount Tremblant and One from Storm King.
Axl: For a while you have been the cautious one, but as soon as you made the minimum height requirements, you exemplified bravery in wanting to go on amusement park rides. My little daredevil, always catching the waves.
Axl: You understand what loss feels like and are navigating through the emotions: like when your favourite balloon popped in front of you, and when you lost your Transformer BotBot in NYC. You realize these real feelings and your emotions will always be valid.
I am starting to have full out conversations with you, when you ask about life, how things are made, WHY things happen (always why hehe). You guys always need a reason, making me go through the deep crevices of my brain to finding you an answer before asking Google. You can always pick my brain.
You both learned how to sit still at movies. We now have another activity to add to the list and anticipate more family movie dates ahead.
Your love for arcade games and prizes is apparent. Chuck E Cheese will continue to be in business because of us!
You still like the simpler things, like staying home, going to the playground/splash pad, and appreciating the quiet even though you both are LOUD
Your obsessions during year 3 include: Dinosaurs (never stopped), Transformers Rescue Bots, Transformers Cyber Verse, Transformers BotBots, Super Wings, Pocoyo, Hot Wheels, Marvel Characters and Sharks.
I still need to hover your every move whenever we go out, especially that one time I thought I lost Rocky at Union Station. It had to be the worst 3 minutes of my life. I will never forgive myself for losing sight for a split second, so I hope you understand that mommy is not perfect and needs you to listen sometimes.

And some things remained stable:

Like when you both still sometimes come to mommy and daddy’s bed in the middle of the night, and wedge yourself between us, forming an “H”. But since you guys are growing, do we have to get a California king bed?
Your snuggles and how you still want me to put you to bed. And how sometimes I actually end up sleeping in your bed while putting you to bed because I’m so tired and forget to brush my teeth 😄
Sandwich Kisses

Love you boys so much. <3<3