william's 4th birthday celebration...

Can you believe our big boy is F-O-U-R?!?!  Yes, 4!  I will save my sentimentalities for his actual birthday post, but we actually were able to have a real party for him this year.  It was a full house and William loved having so many kids there to play with.  This was the first year I took some time to plan some games, but they were a total flop. =(  For several reasons, the kids just weren't really getting into them and were having much more fun just playing.  So after a game or two, we just nicked it and let them play on their own.  William absolutely loved knowing that everyone was there for him.  He was glowing when everyone sang happy birthday to him.  =)  It was wonderful being surrounded by so many friends and family who were there to celebrate the gift that he has been.  =)

William's first time getting to taste the batter.  I remember my mom letting us do this and was a little sad that William wouldn't be able to since most cake mixes have dairy in them.  But God was gracious and allowed me to find a dairy-free chocolate cake recipe.  Yummy!!!  So William was able to have chocolate cake for the first time, too!

A serious pose from Miss Sofia for the camera...  =)

Ah, there's her adorable smile!

The older cousins doing their own thing...

Playing musical chairs... It was fun maybe for 3 seconds.  =P

William was so THRILLED when everyone sang happy birthday to him.

William's new thing is Handy Manny, and he loved getting all the Handy Manny toys.  (Someone else seems interested, as well.)  =)

Mmmm hmmmm...  ;)

Someone in the background is still spying out the Handy Manny toys William got...  =)  (She is totally cracking me up!  So caught on camera!)

Josiah was very taken with a birthday card William got that played the Little Einsteins theme song when you opened it.  He opened it over and over again for the next hour.

And here's our birthday boy in his new apron set and brand spankin' new kitchen.  (A ton of thanks to Aunt Lori and Mema!  And thanks Dada for relenting and letting our son have his own kitchen.  He has been wanting one for over a year.)  =)

A HUGE thank you for everyone who came to make our special boy's special day special.  He savored every moment of it!