Daniel & Annabel's Adventures: Daniel's 4th Birthday Fun

Saturday, September 29, 2012

We had a great day celebrating Daniel's 4th birthday. I cannot believe it has been FOUR years since the day we welcomed Daniel into our world, into our family. FOUR- it just seems improbable to me that that much time has passed. Each day is an adventure with our little guy- you never know what he stories he will tell, what expressions he will say, what he will want to play, the ways he will make you smile, the ways he will warm your heart, and the ways his light will shine...I cherish every day with Daniel! Today I found myself just looking at him, so full of joy and full of sillies, big smile, big bright eyes twinkling...I was struck by how much fun we have together, how clever he is, how much energy he has, how adorable he is, how handsome he is, and how lucky I am to have him in my life.

So the day Daniel turned FOUR was a much anticipated day in our house...we had been counting "sleeps" for days before his birthday! We decorated Daniel's doorway with streamers, just like we did for Annabel, and that was a fun way to start the day. Daddy made Daniel a special breakfast of cinnamon roll-ups (the same ones we made for his first day of preschool) and of course we all gobbled those up fast! We all got dressed and ready, packed a picnic, and headed to the zoo!
It was an absolutely gorgeous day- probably one of the last nicer days we've had in a while (Fall, or maybe even winter?, is definitely here!)- so we were very glad to spend it outdoors at the zoo.

We let Daniel lead us around the zoo...first he wanted to eat lunch because he was already hungry and then of course we spent most of our time at the Play Zoo. We had a great time and were very busy checking out all the different areas to play in there. I have loved going there over this past year because it's been fun to see the ways the kids have evolved in their play- Annabel has grown up so much and does new things each time, and Daniel has learned so much and he gets more creative and interested in things every day so he does new things all the time, too. He's also gotten a lot braver and jumps in and plays without hesitation- watching this develop in him has been such fun.

Daniel also got one of those mold-a-rama things- a lion. Daddy was very nice to treat him to that for his birthday. He had a lot of fun watching the machine and then he proceeded to carry the lion around for the longest time, until he needed his hands to play!

We stayed at the zoo for a few hours, ending with a carousel ride. The kids both fell asleep on the way home. We stopped to pick up Papa Murphy's pizzas for dinner before we got home. Daniel was quite excited to have pizza for dinner! What's a birthday without all of a little boy's favorite things?!!

First thing we did when we got home was do presents! Daniel could not wait a second longer! I was actually surprised he did not mention presents in the morning! Anyway, Annabel helped "give" them to Daniel, which meant that she dropped them in front of him, but still, she was so cute helping. Daniel was very excited to get Busytown books and DVDs, robot books, and more Cars movie Duplo blocks. But he was most excited about the gigantic Bruder-brand tow truck we got him!!!! Every time we went to the project store this summer Daniel would head straight for the trains or these huge trucks. He really wanted these trucks for his birthday!! A wish easily and happily granted! We were thrilled to have made his dreams come true. It was a lot of fun!

Then Daniel helped make his pizza, we cooked our pizzas up, ate them up, and then of course it was cupcake time! Daniel helped us sing "Happy Birthday" to him- it was the cutest thing ever. He blew out his candles and then proceeded to eat the frosting off the cupcake...and then want another cupcake. We offered to just put more frosting on that one...but no, he just wanted another cupcake, which of course we gave him- it was his birthday after all! But, perhaps I'll just give him a tub, or just a scoop, of frosting instead next time! In any case, he liked his birthday dessert.

And let me tell you...Annabel was literally covered in pizza sauce and cupcake crumbs after dinner and dessert! We did have the foresight to strip her down before pizza and cupcakes and then we planned to just throw her in the bath afterwards, which we wasted not a second doing after she was done because she was super messy- you'll see in the pictures!

Daniel enjoyed playing with his new tow truck and reading his new books before bedtime. Next up was his party day...another much anticipated birthday event! Daniel was very excited that everybody would be coming over to celebrate his birthday and bring him presents, too, of course!

Enjoy pictures of my new 4 year old on his special day!

Streamers dance in Daniel's doorway to say "Happy Birthday"!

Daniel was so excited that Grandma Cheryl called to sing "Happy Birthday" to him. It was the cutest thing to watch him listen to her on the phone...a big smile just crept across his face. So sweet!

Bugged out about his birthday at the zoo!

First stop- the Play Zoo sandbox!

More fun in the Play Zoo building!

Love Annabel's multi-tasking, typing & talking on the phone!

A Birthday carousel ride! Daniel just wanted to sit with me, which of course I was happy to do- got some birthday snuggling in!

I loved watching Annabel from behind (we were sitting on the bench behind Annabel), holding on tight, going up and down, just looking at her sweet little head and her adorable hair...

RIIIIIPPP!! Time to open presents!

Daniel's excited expression is so sweet!

Daniel checks out his new Busytown book!

Loving his new Busytown DVD!!

Annabel had fun checking out the presents, too.

She really wanted to help...

So she did...she gave the presents to Daniel, well, sort of- Annabel's version of giving is dropping something near you!

OOOHHH (his face says it all!)- Daniel was very excited to get some new Cars movie cars...from the Cars Toon Tales, a space Mater and space McQueen!

What could this be?!

"It's the truck I really wanted!!!"

Aunt Jody sent Daniel 4 dollar bills- he's counting them here.

Thank you Aunt Jody...Daniel can't wait to go shopping now!

Annabel wonders where more presents are- you can see how she's pointing at her hand.

Who was this tow truck for? Daddy or Daniel???

Since we were all done with presents and Daniel was busy playing with his new toys, Annabel helped clean up! Then of course she wanted more to clean up!