What's new in the Haas House?: You're 4 Years Old, Hudson Thomas!

"What?...We have a 4 year old!?"

This is what Bryan and I keep saying to ourselves. We need to stop blinking, because every time we do, he is another year older!

So what's going on with you at the age of 4, sweet Hudson?...

Let's talk about some of your favorite things! You are so into Ninja Turtles...that's the theme for your 4th birthday party! You have all things Ninja Turtle...ninja action figures, ninja jammies, ninja everything! As of lately, you are getting into Transformers...so I assume in a few weeks, you will have everything Transformers too :). You still love books and reading. You have loved reading since you were a teeny tiny baby. We still read every night before bed and you love it so much. You're book collection is crazy! We need more shelves! You love your Nike tennis shoes...you call them your "super fast shoes." You and I race at the park and I always lose...you tell me I should get some super fast shoes like you! Game on, kid! You also love building with Legos and you're so good at it! You can build a helicopter in five minutes and its WAY better than any helicopter mommy can make (and I'm not just saying that). Oh and board games...this is your new favorite evening activity. Candy Land! You love being part of the action...you're such a little social butterfly! You will spark a conversation with anyone and talk about anything! You love going to school, because you love your sweet little friends. You make friends easily because you're so outgoing and funny. We are working with you on stranger danger now, because you literally will talk to anyone! Just this week, you and I went to Scheels to get you new tennis shoes and you walked right on up to another boy near us and asked him if he was getting new super fast shoes. He was!

You have a heart of gold. It amazes us sometimes how sweet you are. You know just when someone needs a hug. You know just when to say "I love you." You know just when to be silly to make someone smile. Its a good trait to have! Whenever your little brother is sad or crying, you do everything you possibly can to make him giggle. Whenever you can tell that mommy feels overwhelmed, you ask me if you can help me with something. I don't know if you ever will understand what that means to me! Sometimes, we think you have an old soul. You're just so full of love and thought.

You're such a thinker. Makes me wonder if you will be an engineer someday. You put so much thought into everything you do. We watch you play with toys and you have a very serious face when you're trying to put something together. We call you a little "tinkerer." You love putting things together and taking them apart and putting them together again. Such an intelligent boy you are!

You are an awesome big brother to Carson. You do everything for him! You even talk for him. "Hey mommy, Carson needs more milk." Mommy, Carson has a stinky bottom!" Mommy, Carson is hungry!" You read to him, which is amazing. You even work with him on talking. "Carson, say Huuuudsooon." Aside from these sweet moments, you and Carson also have the typical brotherly battles. We have two very strong-willed boys! Lots of wrestling matches, screaming at each other, temptations to hit, tears, and sad faces. You guys are still so little...you are going to give me a heart attack as you get older and stronger!

You have a lot of energy and I mean A LOT! If I had as much energy as you, the house would never have a spec of dirt on the floor or a single dust particle on the blinds (and we definitely have dirt and dust!) You keep daddy and I on our toes!

Now, although you're filled with a boat load of love, you also have a very ornery side. You are stubborn, dude! When you want something, you don't give up. Literally! Every morning before school can be pretty challenging for me, buddy. You want to decide your morning routine, you want to decide if you can bring a toy to school, you want to decide the breakfast you will eat (even if its candy). When I tell you no...its a meltdown. This is why mommy is late to work many mornings. I hope we can get these morning routines down before you are in elementary school!

Family means everything to you. When we say we are going to Grandma and Grandpa's, you absolutely freak out! And we see both sets of grandparents at least once or twice a week, but no matter how often, you are always just as excited to see them. Sometimes Daddy and I talk about wanting to move to another state and we always come back to saying you would be heart broken to leave the family we have in town (so would we). You love your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins so much!

Well, that's it for now. If I don't find a stopping point, I could write about you all day! You and your strong personality bring so much joy to so many people. We are so blessed to call you our son.

As you say to us, "we love you to the moon and back, to Mars and back and to Lowes and back home!" (You also love going to Lowes with Daddy - you two go almost every Sunday).