Happy 4th birthday, Ryan!

My sweet Ryan is 4. Happy birthday!

Ryan, at 4:

• He's 42.5 inches, which is about a half-inch taller than Brendan at the same age and is three inches taller than he was on his third birthday. He weighs 38-39 pounds. Several people in the past few days have commented on how tall he is (saying he looks closer to 5).


• Ryan has an incredible heart. He is always thinking and doing things for his brother, sister and dad. And expects nothing in return.


• Ryan can swim a full 25. He completed his first one a week before he turned 4! He was also the first 3-year-old to graduate from Level 3 at the Colony's swim lessons program. He's a natural fish in the water and feels comfortable swimming around the diving well.


• Ryan is going through a picky-eater phase. While he was 3, he decided he no longer liked noodles with sauce, BBQ and chicken. He even went through a phase (gasp!) when he declared he didn't eat pizza. He still loves, thankfully, eating most fruits. And he'll polish off a bowl of carrots on his own.


• He knows his ABCs, can recognize letters and can count to 30. He's also good with his colors and shapes. He can spell and write his name!


• Ryan loves sports in general, and seems to have a knack for them. He's good with the soccer ball and loves playing t-ball. He also likes to be run fast while being chased!


• Ryan is riding a bike with training wheels, and he loves it. He's able to keep up fairly well and even rides from our house to the pool with Dad and Brendan.


• Ryan knows more about Star Wars than I am sure is acceptable for a child of his age. But he often reads the same books as his brother, and we have quite the Star Wars collection!


• Ryan doesn't nap anymore. He gave it up entirely when he stopped attending preschool in June. (Even then, he only napped once or twice a week.) He still needs downtime, though.


• He sleeps with many stuffed animals, including Marty (a blue and red puppy), and his prized blue-and-white stripe blankies.


• Ryan's bedtime is generally between 8-8:30. I'd love for him to be asleep at 8, but his brother isn't. Since they share a room, it's not easy getting one to bed without the other.


• He plays well with his brother and sister, though he forgets to use his words when he's frustrated.


• Ryan is very protective of his little sister. Mess with her on the playground and you'll have to deal with him!


• In September, Ryan will begin Pre-K. It's hard to believe he only has one year remaining until kindergarten! He'll be attending a new school, where he'll be with a few friends he already knows.


• Ryan loves superheroes and Cars. He still plays with his Cars cars nonstop.