At 4, he seems so growny already. He talks so well and knows so much. I don't even know where to begin. I am grateful for the great year he had at preschool this year. Some of those kids have been together the last 3 school years and they are all very close. It is precious to see such sweet friendships already. His teachers have been wonderful, so patient and fun and very intent on teaching them so much of the Word in addition to normal academic things.
Here they are at their certificate ceremony. They sang songs and quoted scripture and received their certificate along with other goodies from Ms. Annette & Ms. Susan.
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At the end of the year party, Gehrig posed with his sweet teachers. Next year's teachers have a lot to live up to!
We had to give up the small red backpack during this year. First day of school in August...
Here he is with his big boy backpack (and in need of a haircut!) on the last day. I can't wait to see how many inches he has grown in the last year.
As usual, I was pitiful the night before his birthday and cuddled up with him for awhile when we put him to bed...sad that he would be a year older the next morning. I couldn't help but smile when I found him the next morning the same way I find him every morning...asleep on the lovey he has had since birth.
He loved getting lots of phone calls wishing him happy birthday!
He is so happy. Sometimes too silly, but very rarely sad or unpleasant or ugly. I love that he loves people and I wish I could keep him from ever finding out about the bad things in the world. He believes in God and loves to talk about heaven. We're amazed with the depth of his questions and comments. It is such a gift to see it all from his perspective and childlike faith.
I offered to take Gehrig wherever he wanted for breakfast on his day and he chose Panera. Gotta love the cinnamon crunch bagel! We had such a great time being together. I was late for work, but it was so worth it!! He told everyone he saw there, "I'm 4." And then he said that to everyone he saw everywhere we went for the rest of the day.
A full day of playing with friend Mason, going to music class and playing tball followed. We ended his day with a fun dinner with his great buddy Luke. It is becoming a tradition since we had dinner with Luke last year on Gehrig's birthday too!
Sweet Caroline joined us too!
Other things at four... He still doesn't get out of bed until we come to get him. He likes to follow the rules, but sometimes has a hard time listening! Though he talks pretty much like a grownup, he likes to drive his mama crazy with silly baby talk. He loves playing ball in the backyard with his daddy. He is constantly learning. Playing wii sports or mariokart is one of his favorite activities. He talks about his friends all the time, even the ones that don't live close by. He likes to do projects, like making lines and piles. He loves Mickey Mouse and cannot wait to go to Disney! His memory is amazing. He is so sweet to his sister. His favorite bedtime CD is Steve Fee. He studies his dinosaur books. He tears up when he prays to tell Jesus he is sorry for doing something bad. He is a special boy. We love him so much. Happy birthday, buddy! 
We are so grateful for great friends from church, school and our neighborhood. Gehrig loves them all so much and had a great time with them!
Eric served as our official paleontologist! He was so great with the kids, helping them with the big excavation and convincing them of the authenticity of their finds (popsicle sticks serving as bones, fake coins and plastic dinosaurs). The kids were in awe of him and the dig. It was awesome! Thanks, Eric, for all your help!
Jenn helped me find the great dinosaur-themed activities. Another was a dinosaur hunt around the playground. We hid them beforehand and Meredith found almost all of them while most of the other kids were excavating!
Madi found one!
Playground fun!
So mad that this keeps rotating!! I kept it because it's so cute...just tilt your head to enjoy! :)
Make a wish!
Greer helped herself to some jelly beans without permission. Madi knew that she was not supposed to! Are they cute together or what?
With all the outside playing, we didn't get to the presents until we got home. It was a fun time to spend as a fam, with Pa & Aunt Gretchen. Gehrig got so many fun things! Thank you all for the great presents!!
