My Baby is Growing Up!

Last weekend we celebrated Sam's 4th birthday. Let me just point out a few things to illustrate his excitement for this day.

• He's been talking about his birthday since last October.
• He struggled with picking a theme. Important decisions for an almost-4-year-old. First it was Mickey Mouse, then Batman, then Monster Jam then Backyardigans, then back to Batman. Then at the last minute, he went back to the Backyardigans. 
• His birthday celebration started on his actual birthday, then continued for the next 3 days until his party. He insisted we sing Happy Birthday to him every time we ate a piece of leftover cake.
• Walking into his birthday party, he started jumping up and down, squealing "I so happy, Mommy! It's my birthday party today!!" 
• A huge grin appeared each time someone wished him a Happy Birthday. 
• He had zero interest in getting or opening gifts. All he cared about was having a party with his friends and, of course, being the center of attention. Oh, and balloons and cake are a plus too.
• Tonight he asked if we could have another birthday party tomorrow. I had to break the news that birthdays only come once a year so we will have to wait until next year. BUT his Adoption Day is right around the corner and that's a fun day to celebrate too!

My Birthday Boy! I can't get enough of his sweet smile!

His birthday breakfast. 

He loved his cake!

Make a wish!

Time to party!

Balance beam

Joey and Khai racing across the balance beams.

The pit!

My attempt at getting a group photo.

I'll end this post with a funny story... "I love you to the moon and back" is something Sam and I always say to each other. The other night he was upset about having to go to bed and after I told him I love him to the moon and back, he said "Mommy, I love you to the moon but NOT back."

My baby is 3!

Sam has a mild obsession with birthday parties. It started last October when we had Joey's party and then into December when we celebrated Josh's birthday. On Christmas Day we had a birthday party for Jesus and he cried because he wanted us to sing happy birthday to Sam, not Jesus. So you can imagine his excitement when his big day finally arrived. He had a permanent grin on his face the WHOLE day. It was seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen!

The morning of his birthday, I called down the hall to tell him it was time to wake up. I heard nothing. Then I said "Where's my birthday boy?" and I heard an excited "What?!?!" He jumped out of his bed and came running out of his room and was surprised by the balloons outside his door. As he was putting his coat and shoes on he said "Oh, I forgot my birthday hat!" Several months back, I made him a birthday crown to match one from one of his favorite books, "Barney's Hats". He wore the hat all day at daycare and then when we went out to eat that night. After we ate, we had cupcakes and he opened his gifts -- a workbench for his tools, a cowboy hat and light-up Toy Story cowboy boots.

This past weekend we celebrated once again with family and friends with a party at our house. Sam and Joey both had fun playing with their cousins and seeing their aunt, uncle, grandma and papa. Here are some pictures from the festivities.

Sam's Favorite Things

Sport: Hockey

Book: Big Brother, Little Brother

Food: Nutri-Grain Bars

Characters: Woody & Bullseye

Toy: Any type of ball, tools

Activities: Playing any sport, "fixing" things with his tools, Kindermusik class and gymnastics

Song: You are My Sunshine

Idol: His big brother!!