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Happy 4th Birthday to Our Own Kobe Bryant!

By Margot | August 11, 2010

Sam and Baby Charlie

Charlie and Andy in their Balloon Hats

 

Charlie boy turns 4 today.  He is so excited.  He’s been talking about his birthday for at least a month and telling everyone that it’s “tomorrow”  and he could hardly believe it when we told him yesterday that it was actually tomorrow.  He’s our funny, happy, cool (probably got that from Sam), stubborn yet easy going about some things, sweet little four year old.  I asked him who he wanted to invite to his birthday and he named all of Andy and Sam’s friends and completely forgot about anyone his own age.   We did invite his friends his own age (even some girls much to his dismay) but I’m not sure he considers them his age.  He asked me the other day, “Mom, how did I used to shoot the ball when I was Jett’s age?”  I said, “You are Jett’s age, in fact, Jett is older than you are by two months.”   He’s having his Lakers party at Pump it Up on Friday (ooff hard without Sam)  and we are doing it all purple and gold.  His biggest wish was a Lakers cake so he went with me when we ordered it from the Vons bakery lady.   He explained in great detail how he wants a number 24 on there.     Andy has been excited for him too and went and told the balloon guy at Soup Plantation last night that it’s his brother’s birthday and he needs a balloon.    He sang him Happy Birthday when he woke up this morning and he and Neil picked out some things for him yesterday at Sports Chalet. 

I was so worried that Charlie would be a nervous, stressed out kid because he was born at the exactly the time that Sam relapsed and I was so stressed out through much of the pregnancy.  I think I must have used up all of the stress hormones for both of us because he’s the least nervous, stressed guy there is.  He is shy, like Sam used to be when he first gets into a group but he warms up very quickly.  He’s the only four year old I know that walks with a swagger and trash talks during basketball.   His frank openness about Sam is so fresh.  He’s sometimes just say, “I miss Sam” or “I wish Sam were here.”   Last week when I was putting him to bed he said, “Mom, why won’t God let Sam come down?”  I stumbled over the answer with an I don’t know and I don’t think it works that way and a maybe he does come down but we don’t see him.   Basically I gave no coherent answer.  He said, “Oh, I bet Sam’s mad that God says, No.”   

He and Andrew are becoming such good friends as he gets older.  He is going to be a sports nut like his brothers in case you haven’t figured.   Yesterday at PeeWee sports, Andrew was giving him tips in kickball from the sidelines.  It was pretty funny because a four year old kickball game is not all that technical.   Charlie was telling one older boy who was there with his little brother, “I doubt you can beat my brother in basketball – doubt it.”   He’s swimming like a fish these days and can swim across the pool with no problem.  I think he is more right brained than Andrew who is very math oriented – though I keep counseling myself not to label..  Charlie is reading some and he does a game on the computer where he puts the right letter in the three letter words and he’s spot on.

We are going to the Padres game tonight with tickets we won from a Camp Erin lottery and Maureen is coming with us and bringing lots of Lakers themed gifts. 

  We love you Charlie Boy and we are thankful for you and your brother every day.

Margot

Topics: Progress Reports | 14 Comments »

14 Responses to “Happy 4th Birthday to Our Own Kobe Bryant!”

  1. Rebecca Storch Says:
    August 11th, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    🙂 that post made me smile. Happy Birthday Char-man. What a cool little guy!

  2. suzy hutchison Says:
    August 11th, 2010 at 7:43 pm

    Happy Birthday Charlie! It’s hard to believe you can be so old.

  3. Grandma Sara Says:
    August 12th, 2010 at 12:12 am

    Happy 4th birthday Charlie, I should have come on out!Despite sky high prices at Beach Haven! What a wonderful question! Why doesn’t God let Sam come down? How wise and aware Mr Charlie is! I hope youall have a good time at the Padres game and don’t fake them out with all the purple and yellow of the Lakers. I know Charlie will have a good time at Pump IT Up just as Sam and Andy did! I would love to see Charlie swim by himself! Much Love to all; and really enjoy tonight at the Padres! and Friday at the party!
    Much Love, “Grandma Sara”

  4. Donna Ludwinski Says:
    August 12th, 2010 at 2:53 am

    Happiness to Sweet Charlie! What a wonderful little man. Wishing there were easy explanations for four year olds….why do such terrible things happen? Like Charlie I wish Sam and Erik could visit too. Maybe then we could really know how very happy they are….? Meanwhile, I send my love to you all…

  5. Jen Click Says:
    August 12th, 2010 at 1:42 pm

    Happy, happy birthday Charlie!!! Hope you have a fun at the game tonight and a blast at your party. You may be 4 chronologically, but I have a feeling you’re an old soul.

  6. Kim Kow Says:
    August 12th, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    Happy Birthday Charlie!!It is pretty clear that Charlie is already a little rockstar. And there is no guessing who he gets it from.

  7. rhonda dudley Says:
    August 12th, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    Happy Birthday Charlie boy!!!!! What handsome, funny, sweet boys you have!!!!! Sorry about the hard questions, but thankful he is so open and can talk about his brother and remember good times…I keep telling myself that we are ok…but only because we work very very hard to be that way….YOu are working just as hard my friend…Just look at those happy boys!!!!!

    with love

    rhonda dudley

  8. Jan Says:
    August 13th, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    Happy Birthday to all of you, celebrating together. Who won the Padres game?

  9. Cathy Castillo Says:
    August 13th, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    Happy Birthday Charlie! So sorry we couldn’t make it to the birthday party but had so much fun hanging out with you last weekend! Hopefully you will be able to make it up soon!!

  10. Lisa Bonebrake Says:
    August 14th, 2010 at 10:44 pm

    Oh Charlie – You are just as funny, wise, handsome, energetic, and sweet as both of your older brothers. We love you, kiddo. No telling what amazing things you’re going to do at age 4. We had fun at Pump It Up with you. When you play for the Lakers, think you could get us some tix to watch you? Love, The Bonebrakes

  11. Angela Rowe Says:
    August 15th, 2010 at 1:37 am

    Happy Belated Bday to Charlie. Love what he says. Still pondering the how do you get put to bed in heaven. Love it. Thinking of you guys often! You guys are great parents and you are exactly where you should be right now. Angela (Madison’s Mom)

  12. Uncle Bob Says:
    August 15th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

    Happy birthday!

  13. Dorean S Says:
    August 16th, 2010 at 1:42 am

    Happy Birthday, Charlie! Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

  14. Ann Podeszwa Says:
    August 27th, 2010 at 1:29 am

    Just catching up on your clan… loved the the last couple of posts, but had to comment on Charlie’s Birthday…. ! Happy Birthday Charlie… may you never cheer for Labron James… Hutchison’s are not quitters….

    (Can you tell I was born in Cleveland)? Oh, basketball is my favorite sport… I even coach… why can’t high tops be so fashionable in Dallas carpool? We are sending good karma and best wishes your way! You are always in our thoughts and prayers! Ann, David and Crew!