Five

The world may be shut down at the moment, but it didn't stop our sweet second born from turning five. A whole hand. Ryder James, your smile is still as big as your heart. You are our tiny little old man. You wake up at the same time every morning, get dressed, make your bed, brush your teeth and put waffles in the toaster. All that's missing is the morning paper.

You are wise beyond your years and love your people well. Coronavirus has ended your only preschool year two whole months early which hurts my heart so much, but you just bounce right along. You love playing outside with your brothers and you've recently learned to ride your bike without training wheels. You love our basketball goal and the bounce house, but you're just as happy indoors with puzzles, Legos, and crayons.

You are just the best big brother and we call you our "over snuggler". You still love to play with "baby Jude" and are the biggest helper. You really just love babies in general- more than the average 5-year old boy I believe! 

You wake up everyday asking "can we go somewhere???" which is hard right now when there is literally nowhere to go.

You had to have a tooth pulled back in November due to it getting injured a year and a half ago, but it clearly wasn't your sweet tooth. Doughnuts, cupcakes, cookies, pancakes, and breads are your favorite food group. Back when we still went to grocery stores, you used to say "I like samples when they're treats but not when they're dinner" and I can't think of a more accurate statement for you.

You love Super Heroes, Paw Patrol, Monster Trucks, Hot Wheels Cars, and all things Disney!

We had the most special birthday trip planned for you that had to be postponed, but I'm so glad we got to squeeze your party in the weekend before the world shut down. Our little Ryder bear, we love you to pieces and are so blessed to be your mommy and daddy!

Four

Our sweet Ryder James turned 4 last month and we could not be more proud of the little guys he is becoming. Ryder, you are smart and sweet and spunky with the kindest little heart and biggest smile. You still smile with your whole face and I couldn't love it more. You love your brothers fiercely and snuggles are your love language.

You love waking up early but are content to sit and do puzzles in your room until your clock is green. You make your bed and get dressed all by yourself. You love playing outside with your brothers but are perfectly content to play trains inside by yourself- this you get from mommy. You hate being cold- this you get from your daddy.

You love treats in all forms. Regarding the samples at Costco or Trader Joe's "I like when they're treats but I don't like when they're dinner". That pretty much sums you up perfectly. You will eat your weight- which isn't much- in pancakes.

You're barely in the 5th percentile for weight and height at 28lbs and 37" but will play with the bigger boys without skipping a beat.

You'll start preschool this Fall when Finn goes to Kindergarten- the downside of having your brother only a grade apart- but you could not be more excited about starting school. You ask every day in carline if "I get to get out of the car?" But you love going to the grocery store, the park, and library, and anywhere else with just mommy and Jude.

You've learned how to write your name, can recognize letters and numbers, recognize patterns, count, and know our address and phone number so I think you'll jump right into Pre-K just fine!

You are pretty obsessed with Jude. You call him "My Judy!" We'll see how he likes that nickname when he's older.

You are just our sweet and snuggly little guy and we are so proud to be your mommy and daddy!