Birthday Boy

My oldest baby is now four years old.

Unbelievable.

We celebrated with a party on Saturday, but I tried to make his actual birthday a special day for him too.

While he was still sleeping, I baked blueberry muffins for breakfast. I was rewarded with a "Woohoo!" and a hug. He was especially pleased when I instantly transformed the regular ol' muffin into an exciting birthday muffin. Just by sticking a candle in it.


And naturally, we had to start his day with a "Happy Birthday to You" serenade.



After observing all of the excitement (and helping sing along), it wasn't surprising when Alex wanted his own birthday muffin. So Jacob & I serenaded him next and applauded when he blew out his own candle.



You can never blow out a candle just once in this house. So, we did it again. And somehow Jacob seemed even more excited. But maybe it was because of the cool crayon candle Nan bought for us.


Guess who also needed another turn?



Several days ago, I asked Nan if she & Pop Pop would mind watching Alex for a couple of hours while I took Jacob to see a movie on his birthday. Since she was going to be within minutes of our house that morning and on our street late that afternoon, it made sense for her to take Alex during that time frame. Which meant Jacob & I had the day to ourselves, and I could give the birthday boy my undivided attention. And Alex could have his own special day of fun, also receiving undivided attention from doting grandparents.

Perfect.

After running a couple of errands that morning- I know, not a very exciting start to the birthday, but he did get a Transformers t-shirt and bouncy ball out of it at Old Navy (where I caught him peeking inside a mannequin's bikini bottom...twice)- we headed home for lunch. We had just enough time to eat together before heading to the movie. I suggested a picnic lunch out in our yard, and Jacob enthusiastically agreed. His birthday lunch request? A peanut butter & jelly sandwich. It's his current favorite.



After a few bites, Jacob looked at me and said, "Let's go inside and eat. It's hot outside."
Oh well. It was worth a shot. Maybe I should try the picnic idea when there's a nice, shady tree to sit under and we aren't directly in the sun in almost 90 degree weather.

As soon as we finished lunch, it was time to head to the theater. We were seeing "Up", a movie my brother, the film buff, had just seen and informed us was very good. He also predicted it would make me cry.
Jeff had the wonderful (and very sweet) idea of taking a half day off from work and spending the afternoon with us. After all, it's not every day that your son turns four years old. And he & I have been feeling a little emotional about it.
So, he met us at the theater. Jacob stared in awe at the giant display of popcorn.
Like father, like son.


(Yes, I did bring my camera inside the theater. I'm that ridiculous with picture taking.)

"Mommy, look! Dey have M&M's!!" (And yes, the birthday boy got M&M's of his own.)


We were so happy Daddy joined us.


Which one to devour first? They both look equally delicious.


Mmmm...popcorn. He ate every last piece and was like a scavenger at the end, digging around looking for any remaining popcorn particles.



Jacob excitedly announced, "The show's startin'!"


Before the previews began, Jacob informed me (with a mouth full of popcorn), "You have to be quiet when the movie's on."
Me: "So I can't talk?"
Jacob: "No talkin'."
Me: "What if I want to laugh?"
Jacob: "No."
Me: "But what if I need to burp or sneeze?"
Jacob: very seriously, "You can't do it."

He dropped the stern facade during the movie, though, and did not heed his own advice. It was cute listening to his occasional commentary on the movie, and he wasn't at all disruptive to the other people in the theater. He did great and really enjoyed the show. So did Jeff & I. And Uncle Chris was right- it made me cry. Twice!

After we managed to tear him away from the arcade games in the theater's lobby, we were sidetracked by the fountain. Mommy gave him a few pennies to toss in in exchange for pictures with us. I wonder if everyone thought we were tourists. "Quick, honey, let's get a picture in front of this fountain and parking lot so everyone back home can see we went to a mall."
Whatever. We've already established that I'm a picture taking nerd.





When we got back home, we had enough time to relax and play with new birthday toys around the house for a little while before Nan & Pop Pop dropped off the 4th member of our family. After Jeff & the boys acted as Transformers (Jacob was Optimus Prime, Jeff was Megatron, and Alex was Ratchet), we decided to take a family trip to our neighborhood's pool.



"I wonder what will happen if I walk backwards..."


"I fall on my butt. Good to know. I'll keep doing it then."












"This is the life."


It was a very fun day.

Several times since his party, Jacob has told me, "I love bein' four!"

And I loved when he was born...


when he was a baby...






when he was one...





and two...





and three.





And as bittersweet and emotional as it is, I also love that he's four.




It's all going by way too fast, but there is plenty to enjoy about having a four year old. For instance:

Watching his personality, interests, talents, and skills grow and develop with him.

Our cute, funny, educational, silly, sweet, and serious conversations.

Watching him be a big brother.

His terrific sense of humor.

Having him tell me, "I gonna marry you soon" and "I love you, Mommy. Everybody loves you."

His stellar hugs.

When he picks flowers for me.

When he plays with my hair and says, "I wish I had a flower to put in it."

When he says, "Mommy, I wanna 'nuggle with you."

And at any age, watching him smile, laugh, love, play, and just be happy.


Sometimes when we're "'nuggling", I'll tell him, "You're Mommy's baby."
Jacob: "No I not. I a big boy."

Impossible for him to understand that he'll always, always be my baby.

I love you, buddy. I love the sweet, polite, sensitive, loving, playful, bright, talented, and affectionate little boy you are. I just love YOU.

Happy 4th Birthday to my baby...I mean, big boy!