4th Birthday Celebrations: Blue and Bowling

We brought in the BIG FOUR with not one, but two parties this year.

Celebration #1: Blue-themed party. Blue plates, blue napkins, blue balloons, chocolate cupcakes with blue icing, and we all wore our blue shirts. All in honor of the birthday boy's favorite color: dark b-yue. =) And even his birthday present was blue! Oh, but he did want his birthday dinner at Red Robin.

Our original plan was to go to Family Jump Night at Pump It Up after dinner at Red Robin, but poor Roo came down with a fever, so we had to shift plans. Fortunately, Alex's bday gift kept him plenty busy that evening.

Celebration #2: Bowling-themed party. King Pin Alex and his friends spent an evening at the lanes rolling strikes and spares (thanks to gutter guards). We threw out the rules and the score-keeping, which may have been the best decision we made that night. Lots of laughs. No broken toes. And, despite impatient kiddos repeatedly rolling the balls into the pin-reset machine, all equipment still seemed to be functioning at the end of the night. I'd say that all-in-all it was a great success. =)

We brought socks for the kids in case anyone forgot theirs. Even though both Alex and Roo brought socks, they begged to wear the spares.

The bowling alley didn't have shoes small enough for Roo, but he INSISTED that he get to wear some anyway because Alex got to. Turns out those spare socks came in handy after all. We doubled up his socks and made a go of it. The shoes were still too big, but he didn't care. He looked like Alex, and that was all that mattered.

Poor little guy came down with a fever for the second night in a row. Turned out to be his two-year molars coming through.

I had a little help putting the candles in the cupcake. ;-)

Four. I can't believe how quickly it's gone. Happy birthday, Alex! May your every wish come true! We love you. XOXO

Dear Alex {on your 4th birthday}

Dear Alex,

I never thought I could love you more than I did on the day you were born. I was wrong. You, precious boy, have taught me more about love than I ever could have imagined – and mine for you just grows and grows and grows.

Early in life, you have learned the importance of respect. You have a tender heart, and you want to be treated and spoken to as if your feelings matter, which, of course, they absolutely do. I love this about you because it is the beginning of your understanding that all people want to feel valued. My prayer is that you grow up to show all people the kind of love and respect that you want for yourself. "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31)

For as long as I can remember, you've had a loyal heart. You stand strong for those who stand with and for you. I pray you always know that your God stands with and for you, and I also pray that your heart will always be loyal to Him. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30)

One of your strongest love languages is gifts (the other, quality time). You get so excited when given a new "prize." And while your daddy and I love giving you gifts, we pray continually that you "learn to be content whatever the circumstances...learn the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. You can do everything through Him who gives you strength." (Phil. 4:12) Never get so caught up in the material possessions of this world that you forget where your true treasure lies.

You are so smart. And funny. And kind. And grateful. You are a true joy to be around. And one of the best parts of my every day is getting to lie down with you at night and talk about all the best parts of our day. Four things because you are four – that's what you tell me. ;-) I want you to know that whether our conversations are taking place early in the morning, or late at night, you will always be heard. That your voice, your feelings, your experiences matter. And that you will always, always be loved.

Happy 4th birthday, sweet Alex! I love you beyond any measure of this world.
XOXO,
Mommy

Fairytales

Alex: "Once upon a time there was a nice doggie and a nice dragon who wanted to play together."

I love when the dramas are interrupted by fairytale moments. ;-)

Happy Birthday, America!

I love America. Land of the free. Home of the brave. So grateful to live here.

We celebrated America's birthday with friends. And even though the rain tried to squash our plans for fireworks, we persevered.

The dads went into the rain to light the fireworks while us moms and the kiddos stood in the garage to watch the show. If you look closely, you can see the raindrops and the reflection of the fireworks in the water on the ground.

The kids had a blast (no pun intended) and kept jumping up and down and screaming, "Happy Birthday, America!"

Oh, and they especially loved the sparklers. =)

God Bless America!

Christmas in the Summer

Look very closely, and you'll see a sticker that reads, "I met Santa Claus."

While running some errands at a local mall a couple of weeks ago, I looked up from pushing our stroller to find a magical sight. A white-haired man with a perfectly combed beard was wearing a red t-shirt with suspenders and white Bermuda shorts. The lady next to him was wearing a red and white striped shirt with white pants. They both had on red hats, red socks and white shoes.

I leaned over to Alex, and quietly whispered, "Look over there! Do you think that's Santa and Mrs. Claus?!" He stared for just a moment and nodded his head yes. I said to him, "I think they're on their summer vacation! Look, they're wearing their summer clothes!"

Santa spotted us noticing him, and he and Mrs. Claus came over to greet us. Oh. My. Goodness. It was almost like Christmas morning for me! They gave the boys candy canes and these two sweet little cards with pictures of themselves.

 

The first card, they gave to Alex. On the backside was this note:



He was so excited that he had been "caught being nice!" The next card they gave to Roo:

I read it to the boys – affirming everything it said – while Santa and Mrs. Claus were standing there.

I almost got tears in my eyes as I thought about what a sweet, sweet ministry they had. The magic of Santa directing them to the love of Jesus. No mall-sponsored event. No scheduled appearance. Just Santa and Mrs. Claus out "vacationing" from the North Pole, and looking for opportunities to let children know they are loved. Divine magic.