"And, when you are 4, mom, you can put on your own underwear!"

This is what four looks like...

We have been mad-celebrating this month of June. Birthdays turn into a month-long thing for us here.

It started with a multiple-birthday celebration...our friends Joe and Allison & John and Lindsey came over- it was a Joe, Joey and Jon birthday grill-out with ice cream cake and all. I could not get enough of John & Lindsey's little Jack. He loved him some cake. God Bless him.Then, the actual day of Joey's birthday came- June 14th. I really don't enjoy rehashing the birth of my first son as overall, it wasn't a pleasant experience. But, when I think about the first time I held him and realized what was in store for me, it brings tears to my big eyes. And, to think that little bundle of joy is already 4....wow!

We always celebrate with the boys as a family and give them our gifts on that night. We have a party later, but we always have one night just for us. So, I had supper planned, a homemade cake, swimming...it was going to be great. We started out the day with church and had breakfast there- eggs, bacon, fruit - it was delicious. Then, we got home and let's just say the breakfast did not sit well. He threw up but we thought that maybe it was bad eggs, maybe he's just worked up....nope, puked ALL. DAY. LONG. On my bedspread. On his carpet. On his sheets. On the bathroom floor. In the bathtub. Nightmare. He spent his birthday throwing up and I spent his birthday cleaning up. It was sad seeing him all achy like that on his big day! By 6 p.m. that night, he had turned the corner a little, and I even let him have cake- just a couple of bites- and he kept it down thank goodness! Joe made the cake - because, let's be honest, I haven't had much success in the bakery department. And, yes, it turned out great...

Then, we held his birthday party at a park in Carroll. Joe plays on a softball team and they always have a tournament that weekend so we just tie it into that. We get Subway sandwiches, chips, drinks and order a cake! This year, Joey insisted on a "good Spidey AND bad Spidey" cake- so that's what he got! He loved it.

Maddox enjoying Joey's birthday cake!I love seeing kids eating together at tables. I take pictures of that every time. Just something about seeing little ones eating and holding conversations with each other. By the way, that's my brother-in-law eating with them. I think he enjoys conversation with them more.

Then it was time to open presents! Joey tore through them one by one, with Maya's help. I was a little embarrassed...he barely had time to look at one present and he was already tearing through to the next. Ali and Heather tried to make me feel better about it, but I felt like his appreciation was lacking. I do know that when you are four - well, you are four. It's all about the toys. But...you also hope you aren't raising a spoiled-rotten child. So, we had a big talk with Joey using big words like "gratitude," "appreciation," and "thankful"...

Of course, if everyone could see him at home now, they'd know how happy he is with his presents. He got up the next morning and wanted his stomp rocket...no, he wanted his bike....then, nope, he wanted his water gun....then nope, he wanted his Transformer Glider...it has gone on and on like this every day here. He loves everything! He wore his new Spiderman t-shirt and Spiderman watch today. He's just so lucky to have so many people who love him so much.

The Wolverine Claws were a big hit with all the little - and big - boys! The squirt gun Super Soaker also got some action.

It was a great day. The Bud Open Tournament is always special....it's in Carroll so it's close to home. Mom and Dad always take the boys for the weekend so I can relax with Joe and watch games (THANKS, Mom and Dad!). My Grandma and Grandpas always come to Joe's games. We always have Joey's birthday party. It's just fun. We missed Grandpa a lot this weekend. He would have loved that water gun fight.

FOUR means a lot of things, but to Joey, it meant being able to put on your own underwear. Not sure why he said that, but he did. And, I'm grateful- putting on your own underwear is a much bigger deal than you think!