4 Years Old

With all the kids on all their birthdays, despite the in and out caring for each of them every single  day of the year, I am always so surprised when they are suddenly a year older. Oliver turning 4 is no exception. In fact, I think with him I am even more surprised because he is our "baby" and 4 is no longer a baby. (cue "Sunrise, Sunset").
But time waits for no man, or mother, and 4 he is.
Poor Oliver always ends up with his birthday being smashed between summer vacation and something big like moving houses and we have yet to give him a decent party. But he is easy to please and was happy to unwrap a soccer ball amidst moving boxes. And then his Nana and Papa saved the day by taking all the kids so Kevin and I could get us officially moved out of the house and into the townhouse and had a party for Oliver, complete with a new bike, which made turning 4 even more awesome.
At 4 Oliver is as cute as ever. He has some crazy dance moves and repeats lines he has heard at funny times (like when he stopped Kevin and said "show me some love" while performing a snake like dance move). He still memorizes a lot of things that surprise us (like cars people drive and random places we have been and where people we know go to church) and he is learning to be more independent. He has a smile that lights up his face, bright eyes, and enough energy to power at least a small motor for several hours--if we could just harness it somehow. He loves to ride his bike and his scooter, to play basketball with his dad, wrestle with his brother, and annoy his sister. What a privilege it is to call him ours.
Happy Birthday Oliver! We love you!

 So excited about his new soccer ball... ignore the mess and the way it looks like Ada is taking flight in the background

 We didn't have a cake together until we got to North Carolina with my family. Not exactly a pinterest party, but he was excited and hopefully felt loved and celebrated.