The 4th Birthday

I understand every parent who says, "I can't believe my babies are XXX years old." Because I can't believe it was 4 years ago today they were born. I said to Jeff last night that 4 years ago, we knew I was about to have blood work in the morning and that blood work would determine whether or not we'd be meeting our babies the next day.

FOUR years. Wow.

Once again, I just invited a few friends and neighbors over for play, snacks, and cake. I'd decided to do a dinosaur theme after asking the kids and getting a resounding 'yes' response. Then the plates, cups, and napkins I ordered showed up about two weeks ago. The kids have been asking for their 'dinosaur birthday' ever since.

Yesterday they had a small party at school with their pre-school friends. This morning, they woke to find I'd put up a few balloons and decorations in the kitchen. Jeff had also left out 3 toy dinosaurs that Aunt Kim bought. The kids were over the moon about their surprise, as they put it. And they rushed to get dressed in the dinosaur birthday shirts we had made. From that point on, Walter asked for dinosaur birthday and dinosaur birthday cake every 20 minutes until it was time for cake.

But in the end, they had a blast! 

In the morning, I went to pick up the cake. We got it from Bake-A-Way, the same bakery that has made all of their birthday cakes since moving here.

They all loved the dinosaur cake.

After that, we opened presents.

Walt was pretty excited about the toys he got from Planes 2. He'd been in a store with me and asked for them, but I said, 'no, you have to wait for your birthday.' 

Adele and Gordon

All 3 kids opening their gifts from Grandma S. & Grandpa S. They were Fire & Rescue Dusty cups & shirts. The kids kept telling me how much they love Dusty.

Presents from Grandma Elaine & Grandpa Wayne -- awesome marker sets, giant coloring books, and pads of paper. The kids couldn't wait to color!

Dad helping Gordon with his new Stuffy/DocMacStuffins doctor kit

Adele taking a break from her Doc MacStuffins karaoke to pet kitty while Walt and I play new puzzles in the background.

"Cheese!"

Silly Walt

Adele singing songs on her karaoke machine

Sweet smiles from Gordon

Dinosaur birthday cake!

Adele was embarrassed by all the attention from singing 'happy birthday.' But they were all happy to blow out their candles.

Waiting for cake

We had a great sized crowd. It was busy and noisy, but lots of fun!