Jon Turns 4!

Jon's birthday was so fun this year! I know that seems like such an obvious word to describe a birthday, but you never know with our little man. I am incredibly thankful that Jon enjoyed his birthday just like any 4-year-old boy would. :) We had a family party for him on Saturday, with his grandmas and grandpas, an aunt and uncle, and--his favorites--the cousins. He has been asking for "a train birthday" for months, and insisted that we include both Thomas and Chuggington, and we obliged.

We started with gifts, so that he wouldn't have to wait. With every present he opened, he would say, "WHAT?!" like he couldn't believe what he was getting. Such a joy to see my little boy delighted.

Then we moved on to dinner, which included all of Jon's favorite foods: lots of fruit, chips, carrots with ranch, and a hot dog bar.

After that we had a few fun activities for the four little ones. They played "Pin the Funnel on Thomas" and Jon not only wanted to play, he wanted to go first! The kids also loved it when Grandma Weyel and Grandpa Lillo joined in the fun. :) Then we had a Thomas pull-string pinata, filled with fruit snacks (another one of Jon's favorites).

Finally it was cake time, with a Black Forest cake from Madonna Inn. (Jon requested chocolate!) We got to sing to him and he successfully blew out all his candles. I was just continually amazed at what a great job he was doing. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better party!

His actual birthday was a Monday, so we got to bring special cupcakes to share at preschool. More trains and chocolate (sorry teachers!), and his class sang happy birthday to him.

That evening, Daddy and I had a few more special presents for him. Then we got to sing happy birthday one more time with the leftover cupcakes.

Thank you, Lord, for our little boy, and all the changes we have seen in him over the last couple of years. It has been challenging, to say the least, but there are so many things about this age to be thankful for. I try my best each day to cherish his sweet hugs and baby face while I can. :)

As usual, a whole bunch more pictures can be found at Our Photo Site (password: alittleweyel).