The Big 0-4

I remember reading a few months back Amanda Soule's blog post about her son's fourth birthday, and feeling excitement and joy at what was to come in the life of our oldest:

"I do so love four. This fourth time around for me, I think I can safely say that it's one of my very favorite ages. Coming out a bit from the early years of rapid growth and intense development, who they are begins to really emerge in definitive and unique ways."

I see that already, too. I am so delighted in the little person Noah is becoming. It is quite wonderful and surprising all at once to see him emerge as:

funny, creative, imaginative, opinionated, compassionate, clever, enthusiastic, 'game' for any sort of adventure or excursion, curious, rambunctious, introspective

and much more, all rolled into a sweet little boy who loves to cuddle, be read to, paint, explore the outdoors, play with Daddy, and generally live, laugh and be with the people he loves.

Several days before his birthday he delighted me by asking if he could have a gramophone to play music at his party. What a funny little old soul he can be at times! 

He also requested a "knights and princess party, with a shield cake" for him and his wee friends. I haven't gotten around to arranging that (eep) but we will do it, very soon, because this is a rather bittersweet birthday for the little one who is going to say farewell to Nova Scotia rather soon.

And without further ado,

 What We Did on Noah's Fourth Birthday

 He requested waffles, bacon and strawberry-banana smoothies for breakfast. 

In order to make enough smoothies for everyone, I put the ingredient in a stockpot and used my hand-blender! Ha!

Isaiah wanted to eat his waffle in tact. 

Okeedokee.

My parents showed up for a visit. Dad asked in advance if he and Noah could bake cookies together. Well why not?!

(By the way, this photo makes me feel very, very sentimental right now.)

Later that day our parish priest came to greet Noah and bring him a small gift and Noah, like the little gentlemen he is, offered him tea and cookies "that I made myself!" 

Isaiah can't get enough of "Nanny-Nana" 

(he calls her that to tease her, as she is decidedly a Na-na, not a Nan-ny)

Dinner at Swiss Chalet, as per Noah's request. 

I'm not sure what Isaiah just did, but judging by my reaction and that of my mother-in-law's, it was uproariously funny

Receiving a new pirate ship from his paternal grandparents!
 It plays music (rather loudly...)
 and even launches cannons

Noah looked exactly, I mean exactly, like my father-in-law from birth

(down to the little cleft in the chin)

Sassy?

And yet another Cake Wreck. He saw this snowman in a back-issue of Martha Stewart and loved it, so he asked for a cake with four of them on top, with candles on their hats. He did this all the way back in January.

Well these snowmen were made from ice cream, as per the instructions, but they began to melt on the way to Swiss Chalet, and didn't really recover their shape properly. Also, I didn't make enough icing so the sides of the cake are looking sparse. Sigh.

He loved it, though, and the waitress told me the little snowmen were 'adorable' when I asked her if we could store them in the restaurant freezer while we ate our dinners.

All in all, it was a happy day. We are so blessed by this adorable little boy!