Gavin's 4th Birthday

Last night while laying in bed I began pondering back over the last four years. I began to get a little emotional as I reminisced about becoming pregnant, birthing my first born son, taking care of him as a baby, teaching him new things, watching him hit his milestones etc. So many memories have taken place in just four short years. I truly wonder where the time has gone. I guess it goes to show that you truly must live in the moment & make the best of every day because those days will come & go oh so fast. 

These are some of my favorite professional photos of my sweet Gavin going from newborn to 1st Birthday to 2 years old & into his 4th year of life. He really does just melt my heart. He is such a handsome boy. 

Some things about Gavin:

* He is very polite. ('Um, excuse me')

* He is a social butterfly

* He loves to color & draw & do crafts

* He loves to help (a little too much sometimes)

* He is very patient with kids 

* He loves to memorize (songs, phrases, quotes)

* He really likes books & is starting to read picture word books with mom

* He rides a 2-wheel bike (started around 3.5 years old)

* He loves to bake cookies with mom

* He really enjoys school & even asks for homework (great)

* He likes having his hair done & doesn't want it messed up after 

* He has the most infectious laugh & laughs often

* He's really into Knock-knock jokes

* He loves being a Sunbeam in Primary

* He is obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

* He can swim all 3 strokes (freestyle, back & butterfly)

* He loves swimming in the ocean

* Fishing with Dad is one of his favorite things to do

* He is a very sensitive & compassionate soul

* He has so much energy & can go, go, go

Gavin was so excited for his 'real' birthday. I've seen this idea online & was excited to start doing it for tradition in our home. I crepe papered his door & the hallway expecting him to run through & break it all down.

But instead, he opened his door & said, "How do I get out?". Haha! He ended up crawling underneath & weaving his way around the obstacles. Silly boy. (Gotta love Liam's photo bomb)

This big 4 year old got birthday pancakes for breakfast & was allowed to open his gift from Grandma & Grandpa Shaw before school. He was so excited about his TMNT shirt & sunglasses, but the cap gun was the favorite by far. He's been wanting one of these for months! Thanks G'ma & G'pa Shaw.

Making lunches was fun at first, but that wore off quickly. But it put a smile on my face to make his bday lunch. A 4 sandwich, bday yogurt & four grapes. Oh the fun of being a mom. Haha!

I got invited to come to Gavin's class after lunch to bring in some cupcakes for a little birthday celebration. I left Liam with Aunt Laura & it was so fun being able to focus solely on my birthday boy & watch him interact with his classmates.

{Niamh, Ashton, Wylie, Will, Ava, Drew, Lilly & Tyson}

I love that there are only 9 kids in his class!

It was so cute listening to them sing Happy Birthday to Gavin!

And of course he picked out the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cupcakes with neon frosting. :)

He had swim lessons that evening, but right after we headed straight for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. This was our first time ever taking the kids & they loved it! I think we'll have to make this a birthday tradition as well.

Aunt Laura & Gavin

He thought it was soooo cool to be eating in the jungle. Liam was a little nervous when the animals made their sounds, but he liked it too.

Looking at the fish in the aquarium. So when I said Gavin was social I meant it. That lady standing behind him had a full on 5 minute conversation with him. He didn't give her a choice really. He just kept talking & talking. He pointed it out to her that, "Jesus made the fish!" tee-hee. Gotta love Christian Preschool & the creation lesson. :)

The chocolate volcano

Make a wish birthday boy!

 

After dinner we headed home so this kid could finally open his presents.

Aunt Laura gave him clothes which he was excited about at first & then tossed to the side. We couldn't help but laugh. As the mother, I sure do appreciate the practical gift of clothes for my children. Thanks Aunt Laura!

Pete the Cat books from Liam

Giving thankful hugs or head locks.

We sure love you Gavin & are so happy to have you in our family!