My boy is now FOUR!!! I keep telling my kids to "Stop growing", and Roger will reply with, "I can't...I have to keep growing". It makes me sad that he keeps getting older, but I do love seeing the progression he has made and having all the many memories of him getting this far.
Roger is such a special kid, and in celebration of his birthday, I'm going to tell more about him:
1- Roger is super sensitive. - He's sensitive about himself (he gets offended when people are not nice to him) but he is especially sensitive about others. It is amazing to see the maturity he has when it concerns other. While I was reprimanding the boys (as a group) for not getting in the car to go, he humbly said, "I'm sorry I hid from you, Mommy". He wasn't even the reason for the delay! Of course this made me apologize and give them all hugs. He can be your best friend, but if he senses that you don't like him, he will be your worst enemy
2- He is what brings my kids together - I always have people compliment (or maybe it's just a comment that I take as a compliment) that my boys play so well together... which they do. They play without a whole lot of fighting, and everyone is involved. True, I attribute some of that to the fact that they are so close in age, but I also attribute it to Roger. He LOVES relationships and people. He loves communicating with others, and will always find a friend at the park. He connects with people. He has a special bond/closeness to each of his brothers. He doesn't care if they're older or younger. Where most kids would look at Grant and think "Baby...cute", Roger gets down on Grant's level and communicates with him in a way that he treats Grant as a peer. Because of this, his brothers are drawn to him, want to be around him, are protective of him - making it difficult when disciplining him.
3- He loves babies - Whenever a friend with a baby comes over, which is often (our ward had 10 births within the last year), Roger will stay and play with the baby and talk to me and the mother about the baby, all while the rest of the kids are off playing. It really is cute.
4- Roger is completely honest - When I first was working with Roger with saying "Sorry", he would say "Bad Sorry" if he didn't agree with apologizing. He is so honest that he can't say something that he doesn't feel.
5- He makes the funniest faces - I love just watching him. He'll wrinkle his nose or other things that are hilariously cute. He'll do this while coloring, playing, watching a movie, whatever. I guess it may be related to the fact that he is honest...I dunno, but it is so much fun.
6- He will wear the quirkiest clothes - Roger will find a hat, or a shirt that is too small, or whatever, and just love to wear them around. One time Lyndee saw him wearing a hat that was way too small and was laughing while she commented on it. Since then, whenever he puts something quirky on he will tell me, "Don't laugh at me". It makes me kind of sad that he feels that he has to say that, but I am grateful that he'll still wear his funny clothes. This is one way that he expresses himself.
7- Roger has good motor skills - He is quite athletic. He has great control of his movements; therefore he loves to jump and roll around. He will figure out new tricks to do on the floor and tramp and show them to me while being super excited about it. I have to say that I am pretty impressed with his natural abilities.
8-Roger is spiritual - I am always taken aback with things Roger will say. He has such great insight of God's nature. He told me one time, "Jesus made the earth"
"Yes, He did" I replied.
"I love His power!"
Then while having the missionaries over for dinner, he told them, "I don't play with bad guys....they don't listen to the prophet". He lives the Gospel of Christ so well by loving others and Loving God.
9- Roger is Independent - Roger has a mind of his own and likes to have his Independence. With him I have learned many times that I have to allow him enough Independence to do what I ask in his own way and not control his every move. When forced to do something ...he is difficult. When inspired to do something.... he goes above and beyond all while smiling lovingly at you.
10- Roger can be SUPER obedient - While teaching Roger how to wash his hands, I taught him to sing his "ABC's" while washing (this is so that the soap is on the hands long enough to clean them). Even though I didn't enforce it too much, he took it upon himself to enforce it...and he never breaks it!
Roger is WONDERFUL - We are so blessed to have this special boy in our home. He has brought so much joy in all of our lives. He is a great brother and friend to us all.
Happy Birthday Roger!!!!!!
We love you!!!!
Mikey participated in Safety Town the last two weeks. Safety Town is a program where kids entering Kindergarten are taught about safety thinking like: road safety, stranger danger, 911, seat belts, helmets, etc.
The kids were each assigned to a 6th grader that volunteered to help out. Mikey was assigned to Darcy, who gave him a little treat bag as a "graduation" gift. 
I thanked her for her help then asked her how Mikey did. She said that he didn't talk too much, but he did mention Roger a lot.
