Hutch Marshall - 4!

He's still my baby boy in so many ways, but in so many more he's growing into a smart, hilarious big boy. Hutch has loved his first semester at Warm World and asks me constantly if it's a school day (he only goes twice a week!). He loves Big Room best, where they do their centers, and he also loves playing outside. He's doing a great job recognizing his letters and numbers and even writing many of them. He has flourished as an eager learner, a helper to his teacher, a friend to everyone. When I got to attend Mom's Day with him, I loved watching how everyone is drawn to his sweet, funny personality. Though he's more inclined to get into a little trouble than big sister, he usually does like to follow the rules and listen to his teacher. He's also less inclined to give correct answers than she, but he is always eager to participate. His teacher says that's one of the things she appreciates most about him. 

Hutch's birthday was so much fun, with a bounce house and Ninja Turtle theme, just what he wanted. He got a bike with training wheels, so he could be like sister, and learned to ride immediately. He was thrilled to also get his own Polar Express train. We went to see Santa on his birthday and he was delighted (Santa was equally delighted with my big boy and told him how excited he was to spend Hutch's birthday with him). Though timid in new situations or when he feels embarrassed or unsure (like when we see his teacher in public!), he is a sweet conversationalist and loves to make and engage friends, when it's his idea. 

Christmas was all magical for this kid and he could have spent every evening going to look at Christmas lights and drinking hot chocolate. He was so excited to see his pirate ship and Fingerling left by Santa, and he was pretty thrilled with mom/dad/Grammie/Pawpaw's gift of a new playset for all three. 

Playing outside is probably his favorite pastime, but he also loves to be read to, bake with me, wrestle with dad, play with Addie and Weston. My boys are becoming funny playmates, but Hutch is always like to encourage Weston to do something he's not supposed to or something Hutch isn't willing to do himself. Weston will do anything brother says, if he wants to. He's also great at hanging by himself and playing with his Ninja Turtle or pirate figurines, making up stories and games. I love to hear his sweet voice as he plays by himself with his great big imagination. 

Hutch LOVED DisneyWorld and rode many of the big rides with no fear and a big grin. The dinosaur ride being the exception, after which he declared, I do NOT want to go on that again! Big Thunder Mountain was his favorite ride, though the Toy Story rides came in close seconds, and meeting Woody and Buzz was totally magical for him. He really loved all the characters and dining experiences, and though sometimes a little whiny and cranky, he was a great sport. 

As my Hutch slowly loses all his baby mannerisms, he still loves to snuggle his mama, and I'm going to hang on to that for as long as possible.



Weight:  34 pounds

New things:

• Starring on the soccer field! Fall soccer was so fun to watch as Hutch really caught on to the game and scored goals in just about every game. His sweet little team, coached by dad, had a great season and we loved watching him grow in skill and confidence. He still likes the snacks best
• Learning to ride his big boy bike
• Putting on his own shoes. Hallelujah. Tying is next
• Buckling all but one buckle on the car seat by himself. Almost there
• Playing so much more with Weston, concocting their own games and schemes, always with a lot of laughter and occasionally trips to time out
• School!

Likes: 

• Sweets and chocolate. My kid
• Wrestling with dad
• Playing babies or family with Addie
• Any and all cars, especially with remote controls
• Playing games - he's gotten really into Crazy 8s and Candyland as of late
• Watching TV in the evenings
• Asking when we can go back to DisneyWorld
• Christmas lights
• Going to Sprouts
• Being read to at bedtime, either by himself or with everyone in sister's bed
• Having a "sleepover" with Addie
• Addie is still number one in his book, even when she's being less than kind to him, he still loves her best
• Painting
• Play dough
• Playing trains, kitchen and MagnaTiles
• Going to restaurants - he loved that we ate at SO many restaurants at DisneyWorld
• Broccoli
• All his various riding toys outside
• Playing in the bath with one or both siblings
• Birthday parties, especially his own

Dislikes:

• Having to rush anything. This kid doesn't do much quickly
• When we told him there were no more presents at Christmas - he unwraps like a machine
• When it's too cold to go outside