Benj is FOUR!!

Benjamin got to (ahem), spread his 4th birthday across the entire month of June! See, at first I was feeling like a horrible Mom because his birthday came while we were in So. California and although he got ice cream and waffles and a big birthday song in the morning, and ended the day with Cheetos, a Spider Man mask, and a birthday donut, I felt badly because he didn't have a birthday cake. And then when we got back, Grandma Van gave him a bunch of Cars 2 paraphernalia, and Tom took him to Target to pick out his present. But, I was still feeling badly. 9 days after his birthday we had a birthday dinner for him, and toasted the evening with ice cream sandwiches. Then, 10 days after his birthday we went to the Premiere of Cars 2 and he got to be the birthday boy again! Finally today, 12 days after his birthday, we got a visit from Grandma Sandy, Papa Milt, and Great-Grandma Thackeray and he got MORE presents. And still, I'm feeling badly because he never got to blow out candles. And I didn't take pictures to document all of the past month's celebrations. But now that I've written out all this special boy has received in gifts and in celebratory activities, I'm thinking he doesn't mind that he never got to blow out candles. Ahhh, maybe next year ;)

Benjamin, my little love, you :
*Are 110% boy

* You LOVE all things sports related. Balls, hoops, nets, goals, running, jumping, throwing, yelling, clean trash talking, crashing, vrooming, kicking, diving, well, you get the point. :)

*Have such a good mind.

* Are cleaver.

* Still pronounce "Er" like "ay" but you are in good company with your cousin Max.

*Are easily pleased and the simplest activity brings about the greatest delight.

* Love to tease your sister Savannah, and your brother, Jacob.

* Think you should be 4 1/2 because we have done so many birthday things this month.

*Think your dad is the best thing since Lightening McQueen.

Dearest Benjamin, I love you so much. Whatever you do, you're gonna do with gusto. You are my first boy, happy most of the time, and always up for a challenge. You would play basketball with your dad for hours and hours and hours if we let you and I love that about you. You love to giggle, and I love seeing you laugh. Here's to another awesome year, Benj!!