Dude turns 4

I can't believe that my little Duder is 4!  He has been excited about his birthday coming up... he would say things like, "When I'm 4 then I'll _____"  One of the things was he was going to start to like spicy food, and that he was going to be able to stay up later.  haha.  We didn't have a big event planned but I think what we did was exactly what he wanted to do.  And even though we didn't tell him what we were doing he guessed it... I'm still not quite sure how he knew but he did.  He said, "You know what we haven't done in awhile?  Go see Gracie at her cottage..."  haha... which, incidentally was what we had planned!

It started out on Saturday when we went to my parents for regular pizza and beer night.  And you know what those little stinkers did?  They ganged up on me.  I was having some of the hard pear cider that Gaetan got me (delish by the way!) and put it in a mug so it wouldn't draw attention of little ones, but apparently they knew.  Lucy came over and wanted me to give her an airplane ride (AKA distract Momma) and then I was going to give Dude a turn.  Well, when his turn came around he wasn't standing in line like he normally does.  No, you know what little stinker was doing?  He drank the rest of my drink!  He came over with this silly grin on his face all proud of himself for what he did and said, "I drank your drink Momma!"  And sure enough he had.  Well, I didn't think there was any left in there until I saw out of the corner of my eye Lucy with the mug bottom up getting the last of it.  I said, "Lucy!  Are you drinking my drink?"  And what does she say?  "Just a little bit...."  Shaking head.  Well... at least they have good taste.













My Mom made Dude this awesome Dino cake.  It was impressive really.  And they got so many treats while she was decorating it.  The day was nice and my plan was to take them to watch airplanes and run around a bit but they had closed it because they just repaved the parking lot... bummer.  Poor Dude was so excited about it too,  Maybe next time.  But, when we got home we just played outside for a bit and he thought that was OK.

Lucy enjoying bubble wrap from Dude's book... she was jumping to make them pop

You can tell she was pleased with herself

We got Dude a book... made especially for him.  At nighttime Gaetan and Dude like to tell stories.  They usually make up different ones but there has been a reoccuring one that seems to be his favorite, so Gaetan made it into a book for him.  It took while quite awhile to make it, but I think that it turned out really nice and he was SO excited for it.  He had everybody read it to him at least once.  My Mom made Hippo a Japan outfit just like his.  At first he didn't know what it was so he didn't seem real excited but after we got it on Hippo he almost flipped a lid.  She also renewed our children's museum pass which is AWESOME.

It was pretty low-key but it was all the things that he liked to do.  We knew that we were going to have a bigger day tomorrow on his actual birthday!  We went up to Gracie's cottage which he was so excited about doing.  He kept telling us that we should and how much he loves Gracie... and the weather was beautiful.  The last handful of times we have gone they have been nice, which is better than the rain we usually got!  Of course Grace's parents loved on the kids... :)  We had delicious food, as always (never disappointed or hungry!) and the kids played in the lake the entire time.  The water was a nice temperature as well!  Even Norah got in on the action.  They did have their first kayaking experience.... and they loved it.  Lucy rode on Gaetan's lap and Dude rode on Levi's.  Lucy just kept telling Gaetan how much she loved it... and Dude loved it so much he went out again, and again... and again... 4 times to be exact.  Hrm, wonder where he got that number from?  I even got a chance to go out with the kids kayaking... :)  It was a lot of fun!

On his actual birthday.  Birthday donut!

He also got to go swimming out in the big part of the lake on the kayak.  Of course the kids had their life jackets on so they thought they were really cool.  And this was another thing that Dude kept telling us that he was going to really like when he was 4 was going under water and learning how to swim.  While the boys took the kids out and Norah was taking a nap I got to have some fun chatty time with Grace and her Mom.  :)  We peeled and cut up some peaches for this delicious peach cobbler.  Her Mom also told me that she thought I was a great Momma, which is always nice to hear... especially on those days where you're dog tired and don't feel like doing much.



Needless to say our kids were pooped by the end of the day.  All the fun in the sun and no naps Lucy didn't make it to the highway!  Dude fought it as long as he could be didn't make it 15 minutes on the high way.  When we got home we found gifts from Ingrid, Phyllis and Oma Oma!  He got Jenga blocks, dino cookie cutters, dino stamps, dino shirt (a theme going no?) and the big one... his go-kart that he can pedal.  They have been loving that!  We bought a cup holder for it and are in search for a small steering wheel cover... haha.

The package my sister sent. I was so impressed with her handwriting, I thought she had typed it!  Dude was just excited about the lego guys on front

It's a dino kit!  you dig it up and it glows in the dark.

The birthday sign in his package and his free birthday fedora he scored from Target

Dude on his new go-kart

Goose was hitching a ride

The tower we built out of some of his new Jenga birthday presents.  also, his PJ's where a  birthday gift too

He got some dino stamps, and dino cookie cutters.

Happy birthday to my darling son.  Who loves stack math, spelling, dinosaurs, trains and his sisters.  You make us proud every day with your giving heart and your willingness to help out.  Lucy and Norah are extremely lucky to have you as their protector, example and big brother.  And you couldn't make us more happy as parents.  You are a dream come true.

JVG