It seems like a moment ago that I wrote about Logan’s third birthday, and it seems like yesterday that I first gazed upon his newborn face. How is my little Sunshine Boy 4 years old?
Oh Logan, you have been the delight of my heart. Whenever I feel down, or overwhelmed, you are there beaming, laughing and bringing sunshine into my world. You have a giggle like no other. You are not shy about it, and are never hesitant to laugh. Some people’s laughter is like a little blip on the screen of funny. But yours is like fireworks, and rainbows, and cotton candy. You have shades of laughter, and none of them are quiet. Like a rising river, your laugh builds up inside until it spills over flooding everyone around you. This is a family that loves to laugh, yet it feels like our laughter began with you. You love anything that will make you laugh. Jokes, tickles, games, cartoons, friends, and often just yourself. Logan, you are hilarious. And if Bill Cosby was still on TV with kids who say the “Darnest Things,” you would be a worthy co-host.
Your imagination knows no bounds. I remember sitting with parents at Parent-Teacher conferences and complimenting their children’s imaginations because it is unfortunately such a rarity these days. It is SO important to pretend, imagine, and dream. It shows a unique kind of brilliance- and you have it. Those around you often have trouble following your genius play and stories, and I think that Braedan probably is still the one with the greatest handle on your train of thought. But even still, I could spend hours playing with you – watching you interact so creatively with your world. You still love to sing and make up your own songs like it’s your money maker. You are an artist already. An artist with words, with drama, and with common childhood mediums like crayons and paints. I love how your brain works, and I truly can’t wait to see how God uses your gifts as you grow up.
Sweet Logan, you have grown up a lot this last year. I’ll be honest, Mommy and Daddy have sprouted many new gray hairs over you. You do things at your own pace and are never in a hurry to welcome change. At this time last year, I was worried you’d walk down the aisle in diapers. You can be so stubborn and hard to motivate. Where the typical kid is motivated by rewards such as stickers and trinkets, you are and were not. I secretly think that you’re somewhat of a perfectionist deep down, and that you don’t follow through if you’re not sure you’ll be successful. I guess only time with tell on that one. Either way, you are hard to motivate. It is difficult to get you to try new things (dinner time can definitely be a trying time), and in the absence of bribing you, I’m at a loss as to what to do. But slowly and surely, through patience and a new-found commitment on your part to try your best (all that we’ve ever asked of you), you have seen such accomplishment this year. You’ve found that it is exciting to try to ride a bike, or climb a jungle gym. That it is easier to find your toys if you clean them up. That it’s fun to dress yourself, and put on your own shoes. That it’s grown-up to go to the bathroom yourself and brush your own teeth. And maybe most importantly that its okay to be “our baby,” but still be independent. You will be starting preschool soon and you are very ready now. You write your name beautifully. You know your letters and many of their sounds. You can color, cut and fold. You are learning and growing and perhaps never more than this last year.
Logan, you have a magnetic personality. No matter where we are, you start conversations with others. In the elevator at church, you’ve been known to tell whoever will listen all about your family. When we’re out and about you chat with and say “hi” to everyone we pass. You’re always the favorite of the waitress, the store clerk, the nurse, the mailman. You make friends at the park without trying. You pay attention to people. You compliment others spontaneously (your favorite phrase of the moment is “you look fabulush.”. You give unsolicited hugs and kisses (most recently to a downcast woman in the grocery store). You know how to love without reserve, without discrimination, without contest. Your heart is beautiful.
Little Sunshine, make no mistake, you can still live up to your nickname of “Squirt.” You are one-track minded and do what you feel like doing even if it’s not the best idea. You will see something you want, and ignore the busy street you’d have to cross to get it. You run and stomp wherever you go. No one could ever say you’re invisible. Many times a day, you crash into something or trip over something. It is a sheer miracle that you have not had stitches yet. You can be such a tease (often reminiscent of my own brother Uncle Ben). You like to jump out and surprise us, yelling “boo.” You wake people up by tickling their feet. You have trouble knowing when to stop, when to keep your hands to yourself, when to take it easy. You get in trouble usually for not heeding warnings and not taking your parents seriously. If you can, you push the boundaries as much as possible. You wait until the last minute to obey, the last second to heed warning, and are still extremely impulsive. Some of this is part of your sensory needs, and some of it is just your personality. You are not easily swayed or convinced. This is both frustrating and encouraging to us as your parents. You have a strong sense of self and this is good. But we are worried for your safety, because sometimes you don’t have the best ideas (jumping off your bed for example or the earlier street reference). It has been a journey learning to discipline you and nurture your heart.
And that beautiful heart of yours is sensitive. It hurts easily and deeply – both for yourself and those around you. Trying to find the right balance of disciplining you so you know you are wrong but not crushing your spirit is difficult. We’ve found that you take time to absorb, to understand where you went wrong. Time out, although frustrating for you, has begun to grow your spirit. Although usually hysterical when you are first in trouble, you’re starting to grow in your reflections of your own behavior. I’ve had wonderful discussions with you about your own heart and how it’s displayed in your behavior. You asked Jesus into your heart this year and this fact has provided a whole new realm to our conversations. You are beginning to see yourself as a child of God and have a desire to please Him and grow to be more like Him. We pray daily that you and your brothers continue to claim God as the most important piece of you life. Just as your parents , Son, you will fail often. But never forget Who longs to know you, Who loves you most, and Who you should follow all of your days.
We love you dear Logan. We love everything about you. Your quirkiness. Your hilarity. Your laugh. Your heart. You are a precious son, and brother. You are the neon paint across a black and white landscape. 
Happy Birthday!
Filed under: Logan Updates, The Latest News by Sara
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