Harper Jude turns four this week! On Thanksgiving day, to be precise, which will be a once every few years treat for this guy who loves himself an all day feast. We did a little celebrating this weekend though, so that we could soak up and spoil him for the day without the distraction and flurry of a Thanksgiving meal to prepare. And, well, why not make it two days of celebrating instead of just one?
His birthday party request was a walk in the woods with some of his very favorite people. The weather and hunting laws (no hunting on Sundays here) cooperated to make a most lovely walk with cousins and grandparents and uncles. 'Mama's macaroni and cheese', sweet gifts made by siblings, plenty of flashlights (he's a collector), and a 'vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and chocolate chips' followed and rounded out his day of love and special attention.
I do so love four. This fourth time around for me, I think I can safely say that it's one of my very favorite ages. Coming out a bit from the early years of rapid growth and intense development, who they are begins to really emerge in definitive and unique ways. In Harper, we see a serious, shy, strong, savvy, sweet and sensitive soul with a wicked sense of humor. He's blooming right now, growing more and more into who he is each and every day, right in front of our eyes. What a blessing it is to see, and how grateful I am to be Harper's Mama.
