The Final Birthday Blog Post

The great thing about being a firstborn is that your parents completely overdo your birthday... and if you are Luke, this seems to happen every single year!   When both sets of grandparents visit near your birthday, there is a good excuse for multiple birthday celebrations, and when you add in a party with friends, cupcakes at preschool, and Mommy & Daddy spoiling you, it's hard to come down from a month-long birthday high.  But I promise, this is the last birthday post about Luke turning 4, and I have until January when Leah will be 2 to become a crazy birthday-obsessed Mommy again.  (Ok, who am I kidding, I'll start thinking about and planning her party by Halloween). 

This was my favorite birthday of Luke's by far.  He gets it more every year, and is at such a fun age to appreciate presents, enjoy birthday sweets, and soak up the extra attention and love that everyone gave him during his birthday celebrations.  A few of my favorite birthday moments:


Luke was so excited to decorate his vehicle cupcakes for his preschool birthday party, and did all of the "accessorizing" by himself:

Luke's reaction to eating his 2nd cupcake of the day on his actual birthday (one at preschool and one after dinner): He was in heaven!



A big package arrived from UPS a few days before Luke's birthday, containing a special present from Mommy's friend, Ms. Nicole.  As you can see, Luke thought this gift was pretty cool:

Bean and Poppy were here for Luke's birthday weekend, and we were grateful for their help with Luke's party and for their wonderful company.  Luke thought that his grandparents' never-ending stash of presents that magically appeared throughout the weekend was pretty cool, too:



One of Luke's birthday presents was his first big-boy bike.  Our entire family accompanied Luke down the street, armed with multiple cameras, video recorders, etc. as he took his first ride.  One of our neighbors (who has grown daughters) drove down our street, waving to Luke and watching us with a wistful expression, and it made me think that all parents must have a precious memory of when their children were little and riding a bike for the first time.  It was one of those big milestone moments that tugged on my heart a little and I know I'll hold onto forever:

Partway through his bike ride, Luke reached out for Poppy's hand, and sweetly held it until he got home.  I don't know how to put this one into words:




Here is Luke's "Birthday Cheers" with Poppy and Daddy.  Someday, Luke's Thomas the Train sippy cup will be replaced with a beer like the big guys.  Good thing Mommy has 17 more years before she has to worry about that...

Constructing his new speed boat with Bean and Poppy's help:

Anyway, we are back to our normal routine this week, and recovering from what was a very special birthday for our boy.  As we complete our sugar detox and the novelty of his 4th birthday wears off, Luke has already begun talking about when he will turn 5!  Oy vey! 

Here are the final pictures of Luke turning 4: