Living as Livingstons: Dear Jon David,

You turned FOUR! I say it every year with every kid, but I can't believe how quickly it sneaks up on us. You have been such a sweet gift to our family. Like I always say to Dave, "I'm not sure if he's an easier kid or if we've just been worn down already." I'm pretty sure it's the latter. (*No sooner did I type these words than I heard you say tearfully from the bathroom, "My quarter fell in the potty!" soon followed by, "There's poop on my finger.")

You are definitely coming into your own more (read: joining the resistance), but you always keep us laughing. You are constantly wanting to tell us a story, regardless of whether you know the plot to said story. You love an audience and have never met a stranger. You still go to Myla if you've hurt yourself and I haven't given you an adequate amount of sympathy. You want to marry one of your sisters, depending upon which one is being nicer to you at any given time. Any time I ask you, "How did you get to be so smart/handsome/funny?" You reply, "Paw Paw teached me."

Let's walk through the last year in photos (in no particular order):

You played t-ball in the spring, and it was the cutest thing to ever happen.

We took a few trips to the animal shelter over the summer (read: air-conditioned entertainment in Texas), and you love the kitties. You always, always want to visit the cats. I'm not sure from where you inherited an affection for felines.

We got you these training chopsticks for your birthday. Pho is more adorable now. Thanks, Amazon.

Pho dates are also more expensive now that you're all about that crab rangoon.

We started school! Hopefully they teach you everything you need to know, because I'm tired.

Cousin Weston passed along a Superman costume which has been great for Halloween and also for taking the girls to school.

One day, you were upset because you didn't want to take a nap. I was going to let you cry, but this guy wasn't. #Grandparents

You've been doing some chores.

Your methods aren't always conventional.

This is one of your newest jobs.

You are working on your computer skills. There's still time.

You found some shade during observation time at Piper's horseback riding summer camp.

You weren't tired.

Max joined our family, and we're all trying to make him love us.

One man's butterfly exhibit, another man's house of horrors.

We have enjoyed a few too many coffee dates. You're still the only kid I know who will drink a sample of black coffee and pretend to like it.

Calm down, people. This one isn't coffee. It's steamed sugar milk.

WHY are doctor visits always terrible?

A few times this year, our van broke down and we tested the ability of the Ergo carrier. (The verdict: it works, but you're heavy).

You attended your first Astros game! Justin Verlander made quick work of it, so you did great. You also joined the Astros Buddies, and you are asking when the game will be. I hate to break it to you, but the Astros aren't coming to play a real game with you. $25 can't make that kind of magic happen.