Birthday Boy!

Since Eli's birthday party in November, all Jackson has talked about for celebrating his own birthday was going to Chuck E. Cheese. Now, personally, I don't mind the place. But I love the fact that his birthday falls in that perfect window of pleasant Texas weather, and I hated the idea of celebrating his birthday indoors. I just didn't know how I was going to convince him of that. So instead, we compromised.

On the evening of his actual birthday, we took him and his oldest buddies (Foster, Eli and Reed) to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza. We told him that this wasn't his real party, but just a fun time for him and his friends (and of course, his sister). They had a blast. The only tense moments occurred when the guy in the Chuck E. costume came out. Let's just say that Jackson, Sadie and his buddy Foster aren't fans. Not. At. All. As long as they had him in their sights, and as long as he stayed far, far away, all was well. (Foster was keeping an eye out in the picture below) :)

These boys have been a part of Jackson's life since he was very, very small. Eli is his cousin and hero; Foster was his first real friend (they have such similar personalities it's easy to see why); and Reed belongs to my good friend Janet--so they have to be friends! ;) Luckily for us, they like each other a whole bunch too.

This picture below shows how hard it is to get four 3-4 year olds to smile at the camera at the same time! Love it! And this last picture shows the vast difference between our two children. The tunnel at Chuck E. Cheese is still mostly a mystery to Jackson, because he refuses to climb too far. Sadie, on the other hand, knows very little fear.

It's still hard for me to believe that my baby boy is four. He is growing and changing so much every day. We have conversations on a regular basis now. He tells me about his friends. He tells me what episode of "Batman" he wants to watch. He laughs at my jokes and makes up jokes of his own, most of which involve poop, diapers, and babies. He loves superheroes. He is a little bossy to his little sister, but he also loves her to pieces and plays well with her most of the time. He has a fear of growing, and I think it's because he thinks his friends won't grow along with him...and he loves his friends. He is sweet and funny and kind-hearted...and we are so blessed that God chose us to raise him.