HE'S FOUR!

I can't believe it's been four years but here we are our "baby" boy is 4 years old! It's amazing. He is so excited to be four and has been counting down the days. Our big boy spent his first morning as a four year old keeping his baby sister entertained and company while J and I got the house ready and decorations up.
Everyday I ask V what he did at preschool and 9 out of 10 times, weather permitting, he says he "raced with Reese and Damien." Sure, sure I thought, they run around during playground time. I did not realize that that meant the entire time they are together! I was a bit worried that they wouldn't stop running back and forth across the yard to do the activities we had planned. The funny thing is each kid that showed up, just started running along like it was totally normal to run back and forth for no reason!
E was happy to watch them go by and giggle.
V asked for a Thomas the Tank Engine party this year so we did our best to fill his wishes. First up, painting their own train car.
Next, pin the face on Thomas. Kiera, pictured with her little sister Elaina, won.
Then, pull string pinata. Only after every string had been pulled the pinata still hadn't opened!!! So we had to bust it by hand and dump the candy out, you can see V in the picture about to tell me "Mom, stop dropping the candy on my head!" Note to all future party throwers, according to my 7 year old nephew we were supposed to have each person hold one string at the same time and pull all together. Good to know for next time.
Finally it was cake time. V had asked for multiple trains to be on his cake but when it came down to it I couldn't get them to stay but at least Thomas was on there pulling a happy birthday car.
This is the only picture I got of all the kids. 10 in total! It was a bit overwhelming but everyone had fun too. The littlest guest (not including the babies) gave her mom a glowing review saying it was the best party she had ever been to. Can't really ask for more than that. Although I think we may be taking a tradition from my friend who only has birthday parties every other year for her kids and on their off year they do a family activity or activity with just one friend.
V was happy that so many of his friends could come. Here he is with his cousin, Michael.
In a rare moment of rest with his running buddy Reese, from preschool, and Kiera.
His other running buddy, Damien.
My sister Lin and her grandson, Michael.
As the party started to clear out the boys had fun playing soccer with J. 3 against 1 and 2 balls!
Of course Grandma and Grandpa came to celebrate too.
Such as happy boy, we love this boy. Gotta admit my smile is partially b/c we survived the party. I was red faced and exhausted! Who knew a birthday party was so much work? Whew.

But there was no rest for the weary, V wanted to try out his favorite gift. He has been asking for a scooter for months. Thanks to Grandma Penny he got one! And pads from mom and dad.
Really can't believe we have been so lucky to have such a great kid. He is energetic and loving and smart and adorable and such a sweet boy.
I ask J everyday how we got so lucky to have two such amazing kids and know that we are truly blessed to have them in our lives.