And just like that....he turned 4

Happy Birthday to the one that made me a mom, 4 years (and 4 days now) ago.  

I cannot believe your 4!

 We opted for a low key birthday this year.  Scott didn't have his heart set on a birthday party (he never even mentioned one) and we did a big one last year so we decided to fill this birthday with other fun things!

We started the day with funfetti waffles (regular old gluten free waffle mix with a handful of rainbow sprinkles thrown it....best.ever.) and the birthday hat!

We officially started Scott's birthday celebration the weekend before with a visit from Grandma and Gpa.  Scott chose pizza for dinner and then we made a stop at the yogurt shop.  Sadly Scott threw up the entire meal on the walk home, luckily he wasn't sick, my kids are just pukers. 

As luck would have it, his birthday fell on the day of our school field trip to the fire station!  We spent the week looking forward to our field trip with all of our friends.  Owen is invited on school field trips and let me tell you, the kid fits right in.  Owen sat right up front with Scott and listened to everything and followed all the instructions, definitely not a baby anymore.

Howie the firefighter was AWESOME!!!!  So age appropriate (he has three boys that went to Scott's preschool so he gets it!) and so much fun!

He brought several kids up to volunteer and at one point he grabbed Scott.  I panicked.  Scott is not into attention right now and is easily embarrassed and once that happens its game over, he totally shuts down and its so hard to get him out of his shell again.  To my astonishment he did awesome and loved talking to Howie and answering questions.  So much JOY for this mama to see him shine and not feel embarrassed. 

While we were inside looking at the trucks another fire fighter lit a fire out back so the kids could try their hand and putting it out with the hose.  Scott was not having it.  He eventually held the hose at the end next to Owen, but when it came time for his turn up front....no way. no how.  And he wouldn't let Owen do it either.  "I don't want my brover to do the hose, I want him to be safe."

He also could not understand why fire fighters would set a fire.  The explanation his teachers gave him of needing to practice did not fly. 

 The fire station field trip was so wonderful.  I am so thankful for these guys and what they do and that they come in on their day off to teach our kids.  Howie got in full gear to show them that although he looked at little scary like that, that if you ever see a fire fighter coming to help you you should go to him and not run away because he looks a little scary.  He taught them about calling 911 and what constitutes and emergency...the whole nine yards!  Thanks awesome fire fighters, you guys rock!!!

After a long day at school (we went back to school after the field trip because I had a meeting) and picnic pals (where Scott's awesome teacher brought candles so his friends could sing to him, which he of course refused, although later he told me he had a picnic pals birthday party.  Can I also mentioned his teacher let me leave Owen at picnic pals while I went to my meeting (it was in another room on campus) Miss Jennifer you are amazing!!!!)  we went home and I went to work (only for an hour and a half) then we had birthday chicken and some ice cream!

The next day Mimi and Papa had planned to take Scott to the children's museum, but due to the torrential down pour (not exaggerating) they opted for the Lego movie instead (rain check on the museum that 2/3 of is outside).  Scott was a little hesitant about a movie he hadn't seen so I got invited too.  It was so much fun, the movie was what I expected, pretty silly but it was funny and had a good message.  The only downside was the volume during the previews had us all covering our ears (it was slightly better during the movie or we probably would have left).

The highlight of the movie may have been our BYO snacks (which were nothing out of the ordinary, but more fun because we were in a movie theater) until Batman made an appearance.  Scott had seen the preview and knew Batman was in the movie, he kept asking where he was until he finally joined the cast.  Batman > snacks.

Mimi and Papa joined us the rest of the evening for dinner, dessert and stories to celebrate Scott's birthday. (Not to be left out, "baby" was present for the reading of Trains, Cranes and Troublesome Trucks, Owen's all time favorite story in his Thomas book)

Saturday we had a birthday party to attend which was full of cake, friends and fun.  Then Sunday we hit the farmers market in the rain:

 Quite possibly the boys' first experience with an umbrella:

Sunday afternoon Scott and I had a date to see a play at a local community theater.  Scott really enjoyed seeing a play with his school field trip so when I heard about this one (from Scott's teacher who's daughter is in the play) I thought it sounded like the perfect Mommy-Son date. 

We got dressed up and took some (forced) pictures:

Didn't want to leave out the littlest:

Then Scott and I headed up to Camarillo.  We stopped for coffee and the candy store beforehand which was extra fun.  Scott has never been to a true candy store, just the candy section of trader joe's. All he cared about was the super hero paraphernalia and the rescue bots lunch box he found.  When I finally convinced him to "fill a bag with anything you want" he decided on two lollipops for a total of 19 cents.  Fine by me.  Not so into the "conventional" candy yet....I'll take it as long as I can.

We got to the play a little early as to get good seats and got to hang out with Scott's teacher.  I tried to get a picture of the two of them and she tried to get one of Scott and me, but alas Scott was not having it, no big shock.  This was her attempt and I think its pretty sweet, Scott was so into all that was going on around us.

 The play was Willy Wonka and it did not disappoint.  Everyone was very talented and there was lots of singing and dancing which kept Scott's interest.  He also got to eat BOTH of his lollipops during the show!!!  Scott's teacher, Miss Sandy, asked him to save a seat for her which he was really excited about, which was also nice because he got to ask her lots of questions.  The one thing we struggled with was using our indoor whisper voice, but nobody seemed to mind too much.  

At the very beginning of the play Scott asked if there was going to be bad guys.  Sandy and I assured him there weren't (Slugworth was not in this version).  He kept asking all the way through where the bad guys were.  About half way into it I realized that WANTED bad guys, that a story wasn't really a story unless there was someone to defeat.  Boys : )  So at the end when she asked if he liked it he said no, because he wanted bad guys.  It wasn't totally true that he didn't like it, he asked me on the way home if we could see that show again - a great sign for future plays with my guys!!!

I also attempted a four year old interview.  I kind of have to sneak the questions in over time:

Favorite breakfast: "Oatmeal"

Favorite Lunch: "peanut butter and jelly"  ??  He rarely eats this anymore.  Occasionally sun butter and jelly for his lunch at school (nut free campus) but I have never felt its his favorite

Favorite dinner:  "Pizza"  As demonstrated by what he asked for for all of his birthday dinners all week.

Favorite snack:  "waffles"  ???  never really had as a snack.

Favorite color:  "blue"

Favorite place to go:  "school, Ryker's house"

Favorite thing to do: "play with my friends, play with Ryker"

Favorite toy:  "Legos, Batman legos"

Favorite fruit:  "strawberries, apples with no skins"

Favorite vegetable:  "cauliflower"

Who is your best friend:  "Ryker, Owen and Parker"

Favorite TV show: "Wild Kratts"

Favorite Movie:  "Lego Movie"  He recently saw it in the theater so no surprise there.

What do you want to be when you grow up:  "A Dad."  Melt my heart!!!!!  Me: How many kids do you want to have?  "10".  Me:  I'm so excited for you to have 10 kids.  Scott: "But I want 10 kids now, I want 10 of me and Owen."  me: 10 brother and sisters?  Scott: "Yes 10 brothers and sisters."  Me:  Well, we probably won't have 10 brothers and sisters.  Scott proceeded to pout for 15 minutes over this development.

What is Mommy's job:  "Keeping me and Owen safe."  "Going to your office."

What is Daddy's job:  "Go to work every day."

Favorite song:  "The lego song that I just made up.....lego lego lego lego lego lego...."  : /

Favorite super hero:  "The flash"

So much fun from a 4 year old!  He only gets funnier and smarter and sillier as he gets older!  Scotty P, we love you with our whole hearts!