:-) Four! :-(

My son is four years old today. Strictly speaking he turned four yesterday in Singapore. But this is not the time for technicalities.

No, it's a time to stop and stare in amazement at what he is. And what is he, now? Not a baby, that's long past. Not a toddler, that's long past too and it's time we admit it. He's ... a boy. And he's everything that that implies. Loud. Rumbunctious. Wrestles the dog. Wants to climb trees. If trees are not available, will jump up and down on the sofa until the floor shakes. And when he wants to cross the road, he will cross the road. So by golly, you'd best hold on to his hand and follow him.

No, that's not right. He's more than a boy, he's a few different boys rolled into one.

Let's see, there's Monkey Acrobat Boy. That's the one who careens down the stairs, and in one motion swings up onto my back, over my shoulder, and then head first down into my lap. Or at least that's what he does most of the time. Occasionally he overshoots, and with a practiced roll and tuck he recovers from the fall and runs around behind me to try again.

There's Avant Garde Fashion Boy. That's the one who follows the neighbour's daughters and wants pink shoes like the ones they have.

There's Bookworm Boy, who likes nothing better than to have his dad sit with him at night and read. Sometimes he wants me to read one of his books, and sometimes he's happy to let me read one of my own. As long as I'm reading something, he knows it's safe to sleep.

There's the one who loves company. The one who hates staying still for the camera. The one who thinks chicken, yogurt and watermelon make a balanced meal. The one who...

The one who turned four today and I still cannot fathom how it all happened so fast.