Four

The Ryder man officially turned four today.  

Rye asked me to call him "Justin Bieber" all morning.  This is a Bieber outfit evidently.

While his official "party" isn't for a few more days, Ryder had his share of celebrating today.  From a McDonald's lunch with Daddy and PaPa, to many birthday calls, some gifts, and a made-to-order birthday dinner.  He cleaned his plate.

Ryder is a character like no other.  He is the inspiration for this blog.  He is my frustration, my joy, and my love.  Here's something I wrote about Rye two years ago, on his second birthday:

A few reasons why Ryder is one of the coolest kids I know:

He is the only toddler I have ever met who has a favorite color of brown.

He feels free to break into "Fe Fi Fiddly Eye Oh!" (loudly) anywhere, anytime.

He loves chocolate as much as I do.

Despite the fact that he fights with his brother numerous times throughout the day, he asks to sleep with him at night.

He thinks that he looks like his Daddy if he wears a button-up shirt and a belt.

If he likes an animal, any animal of any size - he asks to "ride it" as if it were a horse.

He loves all babies and hates to hear them cry.  He still loves his Mommy too.  :)

Rye is still a cool kid.  And he still loves chocolate.  Happy birthday baby boy.

9 months old.