Happy Birthday

Joshua turned 4 during our vacation (see vacation post about 3 down).  I will skip the reminiscing of his birth and jump as quickly as I can to the cake part, because that's all the kids really care about anyway. However, I will say that today, the 16th, but 4 years ago obviously, was his due date. Thank heavens for early babies!!

We had a small birthday celebration with cake and presents at my parent's house on the island the day before, because on his actual birthday we were in the van traveling. Exhausted, uncomfortable, miserable. Well, that's how Joshua made it seem. He has been going through a really hard time and it has taken me a while to figure out what he needed. But I think I've figured a lot of it out. (I hope!) He needs me to slow down. He needs some special one on one time. And he's 4. He needs to be treated like he's 4. Not like he's 2.

Anyway, since his actual birthday was quite possibly one of the worst days of his life, I felt I had to make it up to him (he has only been talking about his birthday since February "July?! But I just can't wait until July! I need a birthday now.")

Therefore, we celebrated three times. I know. He's spoiled. None of the celebrations were huge, but I think now he will remember his 4th birthday with fondness for as long as children remember things like that. Here are the photo highlights.

Party One: With Grandma and Grandpa on Lopez Island

My tradition is to get balloons for every birthday - and then get rid of them as quickly afterward as I can.

Joshua received 5 books for his birthday (and yes I am very happy about that) He started calling it his "Ge-books-tag"

Our landlady gave us this cake mix 5 months ago when Joshua just couldn't wait for his birthday. He had been patiently waiting a long long time to finally eat this cake!

And the candle was just an emotional buy :)

Party Two: With friends at North Park in Spanish Fork

Although we don't really eat a lot of cake (especially cake mixes) I had a huge supply of them, so I decided to put another mix to good use.

Sarah, Jane, Ethan, Abigail, Joshua, Nathan, and Hazel. Lukas and Dylan  and the moms didn't make it into the photo.

cupcakes. eat 'em up kids. I don't want to take any home.

three beauties and a baby

I guess since I have so many photos of the kids playing at North Park, I didn't bother to take any photos of any kids actually in the water. This photo is proof that they actually did get wet. Very, very wet. :)

Party Three: With Grammy and Grampy up in Midway

Joshua had requested Grampy make him a crepe breakfast, so we all feasted on crepes with fresh strawberries and whip creme, ham, and the most delicious omelets I have ever eaten.

She's asking for more

Some neighbors gave us this little bike and Derek and his dad did a little number on it to make it rideable. Which means now I have to teach him how to ride a 2 wheeler. I guess that is the treat-him-like-he's-4,-not-2 part.

I think it's still a little big. OK, I'm just really nervous (If I can't handle teaching him to ride a 2 wheeler, how I am ever going to send him to college - or kindergarten!)

Just for fun, here is a photo of when Joshua was 2. You can see why I would want to preserve his innocence and out of control cuteness! Man. I just really love this kid.