4th for the Firstborn

Jack turned 4 on Sunday. My hands and brain felt very uncoordinated typing that sentence. Jack is 4. Jack is 4. Jack is 4. Nope. It's not getting any easier. The biggest cliche' of all time (at least in parent world) is that time flies. But it's still unbelievable. Sometimes I look at my boy and wonder what we did so well that God would loan him to us, but I'm quick to realize that I could do nothing 'good enough' to earn him. God is in the business of grace, and we are eternally thankful for the gift he gave us 4 years ago.

Jack, you came to us as a surprise and you never fail to amaze us with a little something new every day. Happy Birthday to the boy who...

-Rocks a pair of glasses way cuter than Ralphie or the kid from Jerry McGuire ever did.
-Can Kung Fu like none other.
-Thanks God for his food, drink, and everyone at the table before every meal.
-Never wants to get older or bigger. He'll tell you as much. I like his contentedness with life.
-Has a serious imagination.
-Played "Going to Mimi's House" with me this morning, and after I (who was cast as Mimi) had to break character to threaten punishment, he replied with, "You're not Mimi anymore."
-Always asks for another lollipop for his brother when given one at the bank.
-Loves all things Potty Talk.
-Loves to call his Dad a Knucklehead.
-Goes by the nicknames Jackie, Peanut, Doobie, Beanie.
-Loves sugar in any form, any time of day and in any amount, but will ask for the sugar free ice cream at Ritas because I once told him too much sugar was bad for him.
-Has the biggest feet I've ever seen on a kid.
-Will light up a room with his smile.
-Loves his house, his room, his toys, his clothes, his things. He'll share them (most of the time), but he loves familiarity.
-Can sing on pitch and loves to prove it.
-Likes to do things well. (and gets frustrated when he can't)
-Enjoys movie nights with popcorn.
-Isn't afraid to let go of our hand to try something new or to be ashamed to greet them with a huge hug when we return.
-Tells me I'm beautiful every day.
-Prays to Jesus to "feel me better" when he's having a rough day.
-Loves his family more than anything.

Happy Birthday, Jack! For what it's worth, we don't want you to grow up either.

We celebrated Jack and Finn's birthday on Saturday with a few friends. They had a super hero themed party and had a great time. Thank you to everyone who came! Sorry these pictures are small! I can't figure out why or how to make them larger. Just know they are awesome. Here's Finn sporting his super hero cape on the swing.

A very serious look before descending the ever so daring 3 foot slide.

Jack in his hero gear...

Of course I HAD to try one of these things on. They had been sitting in my laundry room for a few days. They were so CUTE! And of COURSE John just HAD to try one on, too....(Clearly, I made him do it.) But the capes were fun. Our kids ditched them at the party, but have had some fun with them at home. Thanks to Superfly Kidz, we had some cool party favors. They make the cutest capes.

If Finn's resemblance to me doesn't prove that he is my son, then this should:

Happy Party Day to Finn. Your actual birthday is coming soon!!!

On to the normal day stuff....Today was actually not a normal day for us. The boys and I were at the house the ENTIRE day. That is a rarity. We revel in things outside of the house. We always love returning, but there's something exciting about a venture out, even if it's just to Target. Our oven broke last night so we were here waiting on the repairman to come fix it. I painted some, we played Batman and Pirate. That's right. Batman and Pirate. Refer back to the imagination comment above re: Jack. And then I broke down and let the boys paint, too....

Finn is potty training...and this is how he feels most creative.