4 years old

Today Joseph is 4! It's been a big year for him.

When he finally decided he was ready to be potty trained the process was a breeze. We went from 100% diapers to 100% big boy underwear (naps, bedtime and everything!).

He became a big brother this year and loves, loves, loves his little brother. He talks daily about what he and Jacob will do when Jacob gets bigger.

He loves to learn and we spend a lot of time talking about days of the week, the date, calendars, the time, clocks, etc. He loves going to school and is developing friendships. He has known all of his letters, colors and shapes for quite awhile and is now practicing writing his letters and numbers. He loves to count and does great . . usually getting lost somewhere between 30 and 40.

Joseph can recognize and spell several words. We go to the library and he loves to pick out books and help me read them. He also loves to get on the computer and instant message daddy. He can type "Joseph" and "hi daddy" all by himself. Using letters from his ABC puzzle he will spell out "men" and "cars." He can also read the days of the week and a few other short words such as "baby" and "stop."

We talk a lot about things that are scary. Baby monitors were scary. Especially when he found the one still hidden in his room. He no longer has a monitor and he no longer thinks that Baby Jacob's monitor is scary. But we talk about it not being scary a lot. We also talk about the smoke detectors not being scary. Especially because the green light is on and "that is ok but if the red light is on that means there is a fire and then daddy will come get me really fast and we'll get out of the house really fast because there would be a fire and that would be really bad news." I hope he never has to learn that there's a really horrible noise that goes along with that red light.

We are working on learning Bible verses. Joseph has "The ABC Bible Verse Book." He especially likes the verse "Be ye kind one to another" because on that page it has a picture of two children sharing a cookie. Joseph would love to share a cookie several times a day. We're working on other practical ways to implement that verse.

Joseph has traveled a lot this past year. He has been to Tennessee, Indiana and South Carolina. He loved going back to the beach and visiting our church in Charleston and he loved spending time with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He loves to build things and will spend hours with his Legos.

Joseph would love for his hands to always be clean but his toys to always be in a big heap in his room. He would like to get the milk out of the refrigerator by himself, open the car door (garage door, etc.) by himself, play on the computer by himself. . . . but will sometimes become a piece of spaghetti when you want him to dress himself.

Joseph has a great sense of humor and is figuring out how to play jokes on his parents. He loves to tease and has a great smile and laugh. He still loves to snuggle and is quick to give a hug and kiss (especially to his brother).

Joseph still loves to sing and dance and spontaneous dance parties are known to break out in our living room at any moment of the day.

He loves to color, water paint, finger paint and make snakes with playdough. He loves to draw with sidewalk chalk on the patio in the back yard. He loves to use scissors and cut up papers into teeny tiny little pieces of confetti. He loves to run and jump and spin in circles.

Joseph has his own ideas about how things should happen and, even though his ideas don't always line up with ours, we love seeing how his developing mind is processing things.

We love our 4-year-old boy and all the joy he brings to our family!!!!