Wesley Turns 4!

Today is my sweet baby Wesley's 4th birthday! Only...he isn't a baby anymore. Wow, how quickly the last 4 years have passed.

We celebrated his birthday with a trip to the Children's Museum.

We were lucky to have Grandma, Linde, Lizzy, Jack and Lucy join us. The boys rode bikes...

...served up "ice cream"...

...played in the ball room...

...and served up pizza in the kitchen/restaurant. We had a great time and all went to lunch afterward, then straight home for a good, long nap.

When Daddy got home from work that evening, it was time to unveil Wes's big birthday present. A playhouse for the backyard! Wes had been admiring this playhouse at Costco for months and we had to wait and let him play in it every time we went. We had purchased it at the same time as the playground, but stored the box at Grandma's until it was birthday time. The previous Sunday, Grandma and Linde watched the boys while Daddy and I built the playhouse. We had to leave it in 3 parts to hide it on the side yard. When Daddy got home from work, we distracted Wes with the TV, then got to work moving and assembling the 3 parts in the yard. I grabbed the camera and video camera and brought both boys outside for the surprise. They were both so excited! Wes couldn't believe that the playhouse from Costco was ACTUALLY in his back yard!

Nate loved it too and I know both boys (and the new baby) will get years of fun out of it.

We then headed over to Peter Piper Pizza for dinner with Grandma and Linde. Papa and Lou Lou joined us a little later and brought Wes a gift to open. Wes stuffed himself with pizza and games, but left room for a little ice cream of course.

Our mortgage broker always sends Chris and I movie tickets on our birthday, but boy were we all surprised when a card came for Wes with a Cold Stone Creamery gift card. Wes was so excited to pay for the ice cream all by himself with his birthday gift.

It was finally time to go home and get jammies on...but not time for bed until a few gifts were opened. Wes helped Nate open his "love gift". The "love gift" is a family tradition started by my Grandma and carried on by my mom. It's just a little something for the sibling of the birthday kid so they don't feel totally left out and jealous. Nate loved his drum...

...but not as much as Wes LOVED his guitar from Grandma and Linde! He was so excited and promptly put on a show featuring what else, but Beatles songs. He even had to sleep with the guitar, he was so in love. What a totally fun day!

Wes's favorite things:
The Beatles, blueberries, Chino quesadillas, reading in bed, Little Critter books, Cars, Phineas and Ferb, attention, playing outside, and playing with older kids.

Wes's least favorite things:
Doing things in a timely manner, time out, spaghetti, when things don't go how he expects them to, knowing that Daddy is playing video games while he is napping, and being quiet.

Wesley, you are our first born baby boy and we had no clue that love could feel like this until you entered our life. You bring joy and frustration to our lives every day and we wouldn't want it any other way. You are so full of life and love, it's impossible not to smile when you are around. I can't believe you are growing up so fast and it is so fun to watch you learn and grow each year into the awesome little person that you are. We love you so much. Happy 4th Birthday!