Bennett Turns 4!

Oh, Bennett Lane. Four.. already? Doesn't seem real! In the blink of an eye you have grown up so much already. I remember this first family photo.. and it feels like yesterday. 

You stole our hearts on day 1. 

A few of my favorite photos and quick recap of your third year:

One yer ago we celebrated you turning 3! Young wild and 3. You are still young and wild.. just 4 now. 

Our yearly trip to see the Christmas lights! This hilarious picture (bc your hat is crooked & your facial expression) had many people title this, "The Christmas Story" family picture. 

I eventually slacked off on the strict nap time. If it happened for ya, great, if not.. more time to play! This is one of the days that you skipped your nap. I was cleaning up the kitchen and you pushed your plate to the side and snuggled right up. I remember sitting right beside you and just staring at this moment wishing time would stand still.

Oh boy. You and your tractor! Of course we had to take it to our family christmas photos! You hauled that mini christmas tree all over the field!

Christmas time.. we baked Jesus a birthday cake and you helped me decorate it!

We ALWAYS have to find the race car carts at the stores! Even if it means driving around hunting for them outside. 

Playing at the creek at mawmaw and pawpaws. When mawmaw was in hospice daddy brought you and aubrey out for an afternoon. We spent some time singing her some songs you had learned and sharing with her about your school. Then daddy, papa and uncle michael took you down to the creek to play. This is a picture of the dam you built. 

In January I called to get you on a wait list for a mother's day out program. I had honestly been dragging my feet. I love having you at home with me! Much to my surprise there was ONE open slot in the 3 year old class. I took this as a sign from God to move forward and accept it. I'm so glad I did. You do so well in new environments and I knew you would thrive! You are a quick learner and love to be around kids your age. We hopped on amazon and you picked out your lunch box and nap mat. You were so excited the first day! We packed your lunch and when we dropped you off you didn't even say bye! Lol! You ran right in and made yourself at home. 

You are always up for helping me make treats in the kitchen! 

This year you attended VBS for the first time. When a friend invited you I was like.. "Wait a minute.. are you old enough for that?!" (Insert mama cry). You went and loved ALL OF IT! Here's how our conversations went after..

Me: Hey bud did you have a great time! Tell me about it!

Bennett: Yes! MOOOOOOOM... THEY. HAD. APPLE JUICE!

Next night..

Me: Hey buddy! How was VBS tonight?

Bennett: MOM!!!!! THEY. HAD. A PLAYGROUND!

It's so funny because of course I pressed and said, "So did you learn about Jesus" Haha! Then in the days and weeks to come I would hear him singing songs he learned or he would mention something from one of the nights. 

Even to this day when I tell him we are going to school or church he will ask, "Are we going to VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL?!!!" I know he can't wait for next year!

You are an AMAZING big brother. Of course there are times that you like to dig in and bug her. That's what big brothers do, right? I am always so proud of you for the way you help her, lead her, care for her, love her..  She loves you so much and I know that you two have a bond that will be with you for the rest of your lives.

I love taking random pictures of us. I never want to forget this season of life with you. We were sitting on the couch after bath and I thought, "I need to get a picture of this because one day he won't sit in my lap anymore." I soon as I got out the camera you stuck your finger right up your nose! I thought.. this is a keeper!

Towards the end of age 3 daddy introduced spider man to you. You really enjoyed it! In fact, Michael & KK got you this sweet spiderman suit and you want to wear it 24/7! Which is awesome. Day 2 of having it you flipped over yours and aubrey's chairs in the bonus room and jumped from the couch on top of the chairs and said that "this was your city"! Hilarious. You are so smart, creative and have an awesome imagination. I LOVE watching you play!

You started crossfit! You LOVE IT! Friday morning at 9:00 you attend the preschool wod. It's awesome. You follow directions so well and love doing the movements! It's so fun to watch you. You always bring it home.. from time to time you want to do crossfit at home and talk me into doing bear crawls around the house!

And last but not least.. your first school picture! This was taken in April of 2016. 

Being your mom is one of the best things about my life. You are smart, so so kind, you have a huge heart, you are faithful, a rule follower, your love languages is physical touch and words of affirmation, you are energetic, you love to sing along to songs, you could play and RUN all day long. You love dinosaurs, buzz lightyear, reading books, playing with aubrey, driving your tractor, playing hide and seek, doing crossfit... 

We love you Bennett and can't wait to see what blessings God brings to year 4!