The three oldest children take gym class at Beachmont Christian Camp, but Brian (4) doesn’t like to stay in class without me nearby. I’ve taken turns sitting on hills and next to basketball courts, in warm sun and cutting winds.

Last week I accompanied Brian on a “hike.” Having just “hiked” a flat trail the day before, I didn’t even bother to put on athletic shoes.

Bad move. The grade was really steep. I also didn’t think twice about taking Breanna with us. Oh, boy!

She was a serious trooper, jogging up and down major hills to keep up with the big kids, who were hiking at breakneck speeds. (They couldn’t even pay attention to the landscape, in my opinion.)

I took a break to cool down. They played on the playground. (Okay, I must be really out of shape.)

Okay, so maybe Breanna was a little tired.

Well, maybe a lot tired.

 Tonight Brad and I went to dinner and to see Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad, No Good Day. What a fun date!

Do you have a child you absolutely love and can’t get enough of? I have four of them…and this is my third, 4  year old Brian.

He is silly!

And sappy.

He’s a regular cowboy.

And a mountain climber.

He loves his animals.

He’s a bit of a party animal himself.

His older brother is his best friend.

He likes to get funky.

He’s rarely ever in a funk.

He has his own funky sense of style.

He loves his Lincoln Logs.

He loves snow.

And he loves his mama.

I’m looking forward to a wonderful year with you, Little Man.

Tonight Brian took me to dinner at Chik-Fil-A. He even promised to dance with me if I wanted. He opened all the doors and ordered our meals.

Then he took me to see Winnie the Pooh.

He was so tuckered out from our date that he fell asleep on the way home.

I’m still floating on air. Thank you for a wonderful night out on the town, Son.