Four Short Years

How are we here again already?!? I KNOW it was just last week that we celebrated your third birthday...

What a year it's been, Maddux. You started a new school, attending a 3-year old class three times each week. You absolutely flourished in that room, shocking the teachers and parents with your verbal skills and obvious social gift even though you were the youngest, by far. Not a day went by that you didn't come home from school full of stories about your friends and your teachers and all of the cool things you'd done that day. I was informed several times about your amazing heart; any time someone was sad or hurt in your class (or at the gym, or at church), you were the first to try and comfort them.

You learned to ride a bike with training wheels this year. Actually, you didn't learn: you just KNEW. One day you hopped on Eli's bike and just took off. It seems like each time we turn around we find you doing something that we never taught you how to do. How do you figure these things out on your own?

This year we started you in ballet classes. You loved them, but we were sad to not be able to watch each week. Eli and I had to sit in the waiting room and watch the clock tick the minutes away; every week we'd hear your giggles several times during the 45 minutes. I have no doubt you were not the most dainty or graceful student, but I'm sure you had more fun than any of the other girls.

We had another trip to the ER: you had a little too much fun in church one morning resulting in a laceration to the face. As expected, you were a real trooper and didn't cry at all in the hospital. In fact, you didn't even cry in the car on the way there. Six stitches later you were good as new, ready to show anyone who would look your latest battle scar.

You are still amazingly confident and audacious, Maddux. You make friends everywhere you go, and you make those around you part of your world with just a smile. At the pool I often find you climbing on another mommy or daddy, or helping a younger child in the baby pool...the world seems to be your oyster.

Mad Dog, you are devastatingly beautiful, and that coupled with your lack of shyness is a deadly combo. Your father is going to have many more gray hairs in the years to come because you are a magnet for love and attention. People flock to you because of your big heart; you make them feel at ease and worthy of your attention, all at the same time.

I probably say it each year, but you are goofy as all get out. Not only do you give an odd little 'sneer' each time you see the camera, but you have funny little dances, songs, and facial expressions for every moment of the day. You play hard, love strong, and live out-loud. How blessed have our last four years been....

2007:

2008:

2009:

2010:

2011: