Four He's A Jolly Good Fellow

4 years ago today- the world gained Frazier. 

And what an acquisition.

 Statistically, he is 36ish lbs and 41ish inches tall, strikingly handsome and brilliant.  I'm not sure where that puts him percentage-wise because we haven't had his 4-year check up yet.  Though in looks and smarts I  think we can be fairly certain he falls somewhere between "awesome" and "outstanding". ;)  And on a scale of creative to imaginative he's a solid exceptional-point-seven.  His ability to play pretend...and accessorize accordingly?  Unparalleled.  

 One day as we were checking out at the health-food store Frazier was talking as he had been continuously since we walked in the door.  I guess the woman who works there had noticed he hadn't stopped and said smiling, "Someone to keep you company, huh?" I loved the way she put that...because so many people in a similar situation will prod you to complain about the three year old that won't stop talking, but her phrase so perfectly describes how I feel.  I don't mind the incessant-ness so much...it keeps things interesting.  When I go places without him, more often than not I just wish he were there.  He is my someone to keep me company and for the brief time I have him to do so, I'm going to soak it up.  It can be exhausting, in a good way though. Too soon he will be a big kid...perhaps with less to say and more people to say it to so I want to get my fill now.  Some well-meaning  man told me (again as we were checking out...and as I was [calmly] addressing some whining that, well, needed to be addressed) that and I quote "you don't realize it now but these are the best days of your life." I smiled it politely away and nodded because I believe I just mentioned I had a whiny kid, but what I wanted to say was "Au contraire, old man, I am aware."  Acutely aware. I do know how wonderful these days are.  These are beautiful days... the very best, and I cherish them.  Even the whiny ones.  And every birthday is a precious but somewhat painful reminder that they are fleeting.  I don't need people to remind me of that at Wal-Mart, though I guess if I did need reminding, God knows Wal-Mart would be the place.

The questions are the best.  "Does the sun have a shadow?" "What is it like in the drain?" "Do bees sleep?" "God didn't make bricks, did He?" "What kind of room did you have when you were a little girl?"

He's really an extraordinarily sweet, sensitive, kid which makes him an excellent big brother.  When he gets up in the morning and N.G. has been up for awhile already...she's practically beside herself that he's finally awake.  And he hugs her good-morning before me.  Case in point, today he was playing with a new birthday train when she crawled over and derailed several cars scattering the dinosaurs that were riding in them.  "Oops!" he said. "Train off the track! That's ok, Norma Grace." and put them right.

I asked him the other day if he was ready to go and he answered, "More or less." Which I found meant that he was dressed, but did not have on shoes. :)

On the subject of footwear, I've learned from Frazier that rubber boots? Go with anything.  And your wardrobe, contrary to popular belief, is not weather dependent.  Sweater in July? Swimsuit in February? Totally acceptable.  And fire gear...can't be beat for any occasion.

We have a book called "But No Elephants" about a woman approached over and over by this man selling unusual pets.  She takes each one he offers saying, "Very well, but no elephants." Of course, she ends up with an elephant, but anyway, one morning as we were discussing breakfast I suggested mini pancakes.  "Very well," he told me.  "But no elephants." Another time I insisted he try something and after much prodding he did so then smiled and said, "I do so like these, Mom! They are so good, so good you see!" Kid loves to be read to.

He's equally domestic and outdoorsy.  He'll go from baking to playing football.  Climb a tree, paint a picture.  He's nothing if not well-rounded.

 Happy Birthday to you, my someone to keep me company, brother of the year, mustachioed little man of mystery, Spiderman, Batman, Superman, SuperFraz, super chef, pirate captain, book boy, herder of hedgehogs, astronaut-football player, midday cowboy, firefighter/kitten rescuer, tub artist, composer of silly songs, comedian extraordinare, tomato aficionado, dragon slayer, dreamer, Tortilla-and-Cheese Man, climber of trees, runner of races, King of the Popcorn People.  Forever may you reign.

Happy Birthday, dear Frazier, Happy Birthday to you!

with love as ever,
Mom, Dad, and Supersidekick, N.G.