Happy Birthday Harry!

I look at this beautiful face and I still see this:



Harrison Clifford on Day One

Harry at Four:

--is incredibly focused. This has been a personality trait since birth. If he is interested in something (cars, trains, states), he wants to know everything about it. Example: Space. "I want to read everything I can about space! Look Mommy, my sandwich is a space cookie. I am blasting off! I am drawing the solar system! I have memorized all the different kinds of galaxies! I only want to watch History Channel documentaries about the planets!"

--has found his imagination. Sometimes directs us to refer to him as his favorite characters. Currently that would be Dino Dan or Chris or Martin Kratt from the "Wild Kratts."

--is an adored older brother, but often has to be reminded to not sit on, crush, push, hit or pinch his younger brother. At the same time, on his birthday, he asked if he could put his baby brother to bed. Harry read Max three stories in the rocker, sang him a song, then gave him a kiss and a hug goodnight.

--loves preschool, his friends, and his teacher, Ms. Linda.

--sometimes criticizes our parenting skills by asking Rob: "Can you keep an eye on Max?" when Max is getting too close to Harry's toys. Or saying "How about that applesauce?" when Mom forgets it during a run to the kitchen during dinner.

--is very sweet. When he wakes up in the morning, he is just the sweetest, happiest thing.

--is a major staller at bedtime. Will ask whatever question he can think of just to keep you in the room. "How many minutes until I can wake up?" Or will have nonsense excuses for why he is still awake. "I can't sleep because there is a bowl on the table!"

--loves to close out his day by looking ahead. Each night, he says "let's talk about the fun things tomorrow." Then we have to go through the schedule for the next day, especially the "fun things!"

--has taken on some teenagerish traits. Suddenly, getting dressed "is too hard!" Also, he doesn't like to change out of his pajamas until he has been up for a few hours.

--still hates cake, cupcakes, frosting, and most candy. As in, he recoils if presented with a birthday cupcake at school. But will accept chocolate chip cookies.

--likes to play "Hide and Zeek." (You be the Zeeker, Max!) Still says "Firty" for "Thirty" and "Liling room" for "Living Room."