Four Years Old

It's official our first born is four years old!  I can't believe it. Liam is sweet and very stubborn at times.  He enjoys coming up with jokes or just doing silly things and makes sure you are paying attention to him.  Liam is still a very active little guy.  He basically goes stir crazy if he doesn't get out of the house at some point during the day.  He loves to play with his little brother and some days they get along really well.  He still takes daily naps mainly because he is so active he is usually pooped by 1PM.  Liam continues to go to preschool twice a week and loves it.  He has only said once that he didn't want to go to school when he actually meant it.  It actually happened this week after he had his four-year-old shots.  He has such a great time at school and loves playing with kids.  We think he does well at school because he's definitely learning pre-school type stuff, but he doesn't talk a lot about what he is learning at school and most of what he brings home appears to be a little bit of a rush job, probably so he can go play.  We're not worried though, because it's pretty clear he's a bright kid.  He has several of his books basically memorized, such as the Pout-Pout Fish and some of the super-hero golden books.  He even remembers words in the books that he doesn't really know (confetti comes to mind).  

Liam is very outgoing and will introduce himself to any little kid he comes across.  He usually will go up to a kid and say something like hey want to be my friend and play.  A few weeks ago when we were at the park he went up to a couple girls who were much older than him and tried to play with them.  They were not being very nice (basically just wanted to play with the two of them) but Liam was such a champ and just walked away.  He came and sat next to me and I said "those girls weren't being very nice were they?" He said "no" and continued on his way and found a new kiddo to play with.  I was so proud to see that he didn't let them get to him even though it was super hard to watch as a mom.  He loves going to the park, playing superheros, and watching a show on the TV.  He enjoys watching Rescue bots and Wild Kratts. He does great with his little sister and enjoys holding her and really is a big help some days. 

Liam is currently wearing a 4-5T depending on brand and a size 11.5 shoe!  He had his appointment on Tuesday and is doing very well.  He is 41 inches tall and weighs 38 pounds, placing him in the 75th percentile for both.  Liam had to get to shots.  I told him that he would and he of course told me he didn't want to but he put on a brave face and hugged me while she gave him the shots in his arm.  He did cry and I held him tight and he eventually calmed down.  I took him to the hospital cafeteria for a donut after his shots as a little treat.

On his actual birthday we had to go to Flagstaff since Chris was going to have shoulder surgery the next day.  We told Liam that he could pick out a toy with his birthday money at Target.  He was excited and wandered the toy aisle for a while until he found the perfect toy (a batcave).  Then we went to Barnes and Noble where he got a free cupcake (where he licked just the frosting off) for his birthday and was able to pick out a new book.  Then he played at Aunt Sandy and Uncle Larry's house until we took him out to dinner at Oregano's.  All in all I think he had a great day.  We love you more than you will ever know sweet boy and we are so proud of you and who you are becoming.  

Here's a look back!

A few days old

1 year

2 years

3 Years

Happy 4th birthday!

Liam's 4th Birthday Party

Liam was so excited for his birthday he counted down for a couple of weeks.  He kept asking when his birthday party would be here so I put a calendar in his room and he marked off the days.  It was so awesome to see the excitement in his face the morning of his party.  He knew he was getting a spiderman jump house and he may have been even more excited about that than anything else.  This was the first year Liam realized that he had a birthday coming up where as previous years they just showed up and he enjoyed the day.  It made it fun for us as parents to see his excitement as the day got closer. 

They came to set the jump house up at 1100 so the boys had it to themselves before the party.

Waiting eagerly

Finally they got to jump!  Dad and mom even jumped in and played with them for a little bit.

They had fun

Liam took his nap and woke up excited and ready for his party.  It was a Rescue Bot theme since that is what he is into.  He told me months ago he wanted a Rescue Bot birthday and I was afraid it would change but he stuck to his guns.  Here he is with his birthday shirt.

Liam with Colin and his bumblebee shirt and Amelia and her bumblebee onesie.

Side note: we bought this onesie before she was born and said if it was a girl we'd just buy a yellow bow.  Seems to have worked out well!

Snacks with Rescue bot stickers I had printed at Staples

Stickers I cut out and stuck on some balloons

Birthday sign

Sticker for the table

When the kids started arriving they all immediately went to the jump house.  It was a huge hit.  I have decided it is the easiest way to entertain kids.

I had fun jumping in with them too.  Here's me and Anderson

Reed had fun hanging out with Sadie and my mom for a minute and even held Amelia.  He patted her stomach, it was pretty darn cute.

Uncle Matt joining the party

Gifts

Liam asked more than once when it was time to open presents.  We had him wait until everyone had a chance to eat.  He was ready to go when it was time though.

Then we had birthday cupcakes.  It was in the shape of a number 4 and we put some of his toy Rescue Bots on it.

Singing Happy Birthday

Getting cleaned up after eating his cupcake

More jumping.  The kids did not even care that it was cold outside.

Cousin picture.  No we did not forget about Amelia but it was cold outside.

Great Grandma with the great Grandkids

My birthday boy and me

Once everyone pretty much cleared out Chris and I gave him his present from us.  He sat on my lap and I covered his eyes.  Brandi captured his face perfectly.  He was excited.

Riding his new bike.  It should last a little while

Liam had a wonderful day and was wiped out by the end of it!  Thanks to everyone who celebrated our boy. He had a great time.

Virginia Visitors!

The beginning of November we went to the Academy fundraiser and Aunt Trudi wanted to get a couple pictures for us with our newest addition. 

My little girl and me

The kids 

and our classic family picture, ha!  Please look closely at Liam's finger.  I love how Chris and I are smiling like this is completely normal.  It is definitely a keeper!

Colin was super excited to wear his batman gear one day

He was also pumped to ride the merry go round outside of Kmart.

This little fellow did a maze all by himself.

Thursday evening Aunt Mindy and the Ives came for a quick visit.

We all ate spaghetti and visited for a little bit.

Amelia and Aunt Mindy

Reed, Michelle, and Brady

On Friday morning we all put together a little baby shower for Michelle.  It had a book and food theme.

Decorations

New quilt for her baby boy

The kids enjoyed playing and running around.  Brady and Anderson did a little reading too.

Reed enjoyed playing with the Hulk hand.  Don't mind the blur my camera is acting up again!

It was a lovely day outside and we all took advantage of it

Amelia slept through the party but woke up to eat at the end.

After all the kiddos napped we all went up to the Hualapai Mountain Lodge for dinner.  When we arrived this gal was outside to greet us.  She came pretty close hoping we had food for her.

The boys thought it was pretty cool.

Dinner time.

This gal slept through dinner but woke up at the end to eat.  I love this picture of her relaxing after her meal.

Then the kiddos did a little dancing.  It was a great day with family.