Birthday Boy

 

This wonderful little boy had a birthday this past week and went and turned 4 on us.

This kid was one of the happiest babies I have ever known.  Seriously happy.  He hardly ever made a peep and always had a smile for you.  He was a champion sleeper, and was always content to just hang out and watch all of the happenings going on.  And he was the best snuggler.  Definitely my snuggliest baby.

Then around the time he started walking, his snuggling days were over, and he turned into the busiest kid I have ever known.  Busier than all of my other 3 kids put together at that age.  There was a time Trent and I didn't know if we'd be able to make it without pulling all our hair out.  It seemed like all I did all day was go from one mess to another to clean up.  And we're not talking little messes.  We're talking an inch of water on the wood floors (yes, they were a little warped), or a bucket of flour dumped all over the kitchen floor, or everyday having to wade through the pile of tupperware on the kitchen floor to be able to get to the fridge or stove.  And then there was the stage he went through where if he found any type of writing utensil, it was sure to be on the walls, couch, or whatever he could find in his reach to color on.  And the climbing.  Oh the climbing!  I can't tell you how many times I walked into the kitchen to find him standing on the counters, or saw him with a stool on top of a chair and him standing on top of it all.  It's amazing my heart hasn't stopped by now.  Once he figured out he could climb other things, it took him no time at all to figure out how to climb out of his crib, which ended his champion sleeping habits for the next 2 years.  While Preston was still a very happy boy (albeit destructively happy), he also started to have some seriously insane temper tantrums.  I had never seen anything like it.  And they would come on in an instant, with no warning whatsoever.  And of course, him being a toddler, there was no reasoning with him.  At.  All.  (My mom always wished a kid just like I was on me, and I guess I got one.)  ;)

The last six months there has been a big change in him.  He is easier to reason with.  His tantrums are fewer and don't last as long.  He'll stay in his bed now to fall asleep.  He still climbs things a lot, but I am more confident in his climbing and balancing abilities now, so it doesn't bother me as much. ;)  He is super snuggly again and comes to me all throughout the day for hugs and kisses.  I can take him to the store again without anymore embarrassing episodes, and without losing him.  He is much better at staying with me now. :)  Most of all, he just makes me laugh.  He says and does the funniest things every day.  I am so grateful for the day he came to join our family.  He has been such a joy, and I don't think I would be as patient as I am now if it weren't for him.  (Not that I am super patient or anything, but more than I was before Preston became a toddler.)  :)

This year for his birthday, Preston asked for a Choo Choo Train cake.  Whenever I would ask him what he wanted for his birthday, that was his response.  "A Choo Choo Train cake."  He had seen one that my friend Cheryl had made for her son on his third birthday, and there was no swaying him.  That was all he wanted.  Now, there are several things I can do, but cake decorating is not one of them.  The fanciest I get is two round cakes stacked on top of each other, and even that doesn't turn out so well for me sometimes.

Like last year for Preston's birthday, for instance.  The cake totally fell apart on me!  So when I told Preston that I didn't know how to make a train cake, this didn't sway him at all.  He said, in his matter-of-fact way of speaking, "Cheryl knows how.  She can make it."  When I told him I wasn't going to ask Cheryl to make his cake, that didn't deter him.  That is still what he wanted.  The ONLY thing he wanted.  So I sweated over how I was going to make this cake for about 2 weeks.  Cheryl was so kind as to email me the directions, thank heavens, otherwise I would have had no idea where to begin!

Four sheet cakes of the Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe, and about 6 tubs of frosting later, we had built a Choo Choo Train cake.  Preston was thrilled!  And I was thrilled when it was finally done!  I went a little overboard on the size of the cake, so if he ever asks for another one, I will know to make it a bit smaller. :)

He got a little shy and embarrassed when we were singing "Happy Birthday" to him.  He had his face covered the whole time.

He got over it in time to blow out the candles though.

He was very excited about his new remote control monster truck.  I have accidentally called it a remote control car a few times, and he is always quick to tell me, "It is not a car.  It is a remote control monster truck."  All in a disgusted tone of voice.  ;)  Sorry buddy... I'll get it right one of these days.

We of course had our balloon launch, but everyone was too quick to let them go before I could get a picture, so here is the after picture.

 

Happy birthday sweet boy!  We sure love you!