Happy 4th Birthday Burton

My dearest Burton,

Well what can I say? Only what I say every year - I cannot believe another year has flown past and you are now 4!!! I have struggled coming to terms with you becoming 4, I think its because it is such a mile stone with it signalling you soon having to start school. I just feel like I am losing what we have had for the past 4 years - me and you (along with Daddy and Jenson of course!) and that apart from Ladybirds, I have structered your life and shaped you and watched you grow in front of my eyes each day. Once you start school, I guess I feel that although I will of course play a big part in your life and your ever growing and changing development, school will be where you spend the majority of your time. I will miss having you around so much.

These last 12 months have seen you blossom even more. You always have a lot to say and always try to get the last word in and have an answer for everything!!! There have been some challenges along the way - your slow eating, fussy eating and your refusal to try new foods continue to frustrate me!! There have been times when your behaviour has been a challenge and it has been stressful knowing the best way of handling the situations we have faced. However, thankfully these phases usually appear as a result of growth spurts or tiredness and are not representative of your character as a whole. 

You are funny and always have 'good ideas' about how best to do things but you do need to do as you are told more and not as you please! You love your books and 'reading' them to Jenson at bedtime. You aso love drawing, writing and making crafty things even though I am not very good at guessing what your master pieces are!!

You are a wonderful big brother and are mostly kind and thoughtful towards Jenson and often tell hiim you love him. You also boss him about a lot but he does not mind most of the time because he idolises you. You have made a lot of friends through pre school and I was surprised at how many you had when it came to organising your birthday party. 

When I looked back at the last years worth of photos to select one for every month as I always do on your birthday, I can see how adventerous you are and how much you adore being outdoors. Climbing, jumping, running, cycling, scooting and swimming to name a few - you do enjoy being active and playing outside even more so now we have our own garden.

So as we approach this new and exciting year ahead for you, I know you will continue to make me proud. I know you will love school and exceed my expectations because you thrive on learning and you need the stimulation and disclipine that attending school will give you. I do worry about the new outside influences which will affect you but I am sure we will address them as and when in our own way. 

So here you are Burton - the last 12 months of your life

I love you so much my darling boy. Go forth and enjoy this new chapter in your life - the world is your oyster  and only you can make it so.

Love you so much and more than you will ever know

Lots of love always

Mummy

xxxxx