Caden's 4th Birthday.

This past weekend was "Caden's Fourth Birthday Extravaganza" or something like that.  I found that when a child's birthday falls on a weekend day, the entire weekend becomes their birthday weekend.  I tried to document the whole three days as we did a lot of fun things with him (I'm always impressed with my friend Lauren who does such a great job taking pics of everything they do as a family and everything their little girl Payton does.  Though I'm a photographer, I tend to really stink at capturing our day-to-day, unposed, ordinary happenings!)  So, here we go:

Technically, the celebration started on Thursday when he took treats to school for his birthday.  I didn't get any pictures of this, but they were HyVee cupcakes.  

 On Friday, his actual birthday, he woke up to a decorated living room.  He was so excited and spent about 10 minutes just looking at everything.  It was sweet.  He ate some donuts for his birthday breakfast and then we all went to the doctor for his 4 year check up.  Daddy even took the day off to hang out :)  

His 4 year stats:

Height: 42.75 inches (92%)

Weight: 41.2 lbs (86%)

 Brother was helping keep sis entertained.  Finally a doctor's appt that wasn't for her!

 

 After the doctor, we met grandma and grandpa at Culver's for a birthday lunch.  Papa brought him a few little presents to open that day.  Including that bunny you see which poops out jelly beans.  Papa sure gets 4 year old humor.

 We gave him a couple "smaller" gifts when he got up that morning, but the bigger gift from us was to go to the mall that afternoon and go to Build-a-Bear to make a Ninja Turtle.  He LOVED it.  Just he and daddy went while the girls stayed at home.  He made Mikey and Mikey has not left his side since he made him.  

After the mall, we met a couple of his friends at a play place here in town called Ergadoozy.  It's a big indoor play area (think McDonald's play place except CLEAN).  I didn't get an shots there, I was busy holding R and trying to prevent her from touching anything.  After playing there for a little while, the kiddos and their parents came back to our house for dinner+ice cream cake.  

 

 He got a Spiderman car that shoots something out (anything that shoots anything is a favorite right now) and some great Jake and the Neverland Pirate toys.  

 About to dive into his ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins.

 This is Tommy.  Tommy is possibly one of my favorite kids that is not my own kid.  

 This picture is just epic.  The boys with their weapons and sweet Belle not really sure what to do with her bow staff.  Also, Tommy.

There aren't any pictures from Saturday.  That was actually a relatively low-key day.  We hung around the house and got things ready for the party on Sunday.

Side-note:  Brent and I went to a trivia night Saturday at our church for the youth group.  It was the first time my parents have watched the kids during bed time.  My mom fed R a bottle and she took it with no fussing.  She went to sleep without crying too!  This is huge and wonderful and a major relief.

 Sunday afternoon we had a family party at our house.  This will probably be the last year we do friends/family separate.  I thought it would be too much in our house, and it probably would be.  Next year I anticipate a party somewhere outside of our home with friends and family.

 Before the party got started I wanted a family photo.  The reality of our lives now:  It is nearly impossible to get a good shot with both kids looking AT the camera AND smiling.  This is painful to me as a photographer.  

 I kept the food super low key this year.  And since it was a Turtle theme, ordering pizza was obvious and so easy.  The fruit and veggie trays were taken straight from Pinterest.  

I always love making his birthday cake.  I'm no cake boss (though I am THE boss) but there's just something I love about creating his cake.  We went the cupcake route this year in an effort to keep it easy peasy.  Also, they were dairy free and delicious!

 

 Opening gifts.  That was his face when he looked in the bag and saw it was clothes.  He always needs new summer clothes so people get him some for his birthday and he's always disappointed.  Sorry bud.  We're working on having a gracious heart :) You'll be thankful in July when you have shorts to wear.

He got a lot of great things.  Jake toys, puzzles, a matching game, Turtle things.  Not pictured is the awesome wooden swing set his Papa Amos got him.  It'll go up when the weather gets warmer in our back yard.  He can't wait to swing every day and climb up the climbing wall.  Sis will have a swing too so I anticipate never leaving the back yard :)

It's hard to believe we have a 4 year old now.  He gets more fun every year.  

Now, excuse me while I go stress about our trip for B's work in April (we find out THIS Wednesday if he got Employee of the Year.  If he did, our trip will be in June instead).  

Also, I have a Stitch Fix arriving next Monday.  Stay tuned for a post about that!  

Caden is FOUR.

I'm starting this post about a week and a half before he actually turns 4 because I imagine it'll take me that long to gather my thoughts about the fact.

My baby is four.  I don't quite believe it as I type that word.  FOUR.  I simply can't put all my emotions into this post.  It's almost overwhelming.  You bring this tiny human into the harsh world and all you can do is pray for them and guide them.  And for the most part, that is what Brent and I have done for the past 4 years.  Prayed a ton.  Guided.  Laughed.  Cried.
I look at those pictures above and my heart swells.  I think it's so shocking to me that he is 4 because he grew SO MUCH this past year.  He grew into a little boy.  There isn't an ounce of fat left on him.  In fact I can see his ribs and his legs are long and lanky.  But trust me, the kid eats.  He just can't keep any meat on him because he never stops running.

Caden, my sweet boy:
You teach me so much.  Patience mostly.  But also selflessness.  This has been a life-changing year for you.  You gained a sister!  And I'm fairly certain no one is more proud of her than you.  Daddy and I prayed hard that the transition would go smoothly for you.  And the Lord answered our prayers, and then some.  You took her to show-and-tell this year at school.  Making her laugh is probably your favorite activity (after being a ninja turtle).
You are such an enormous blessing in our lives.  Your smile has always been a source of joy for us.  You have grown leaps and bounds in the past year.  I've said it before, and I'll say it many more times I'm sure: the Lord is going to use you to do mighty things for His Kingdom.  You really are a special boy.