Four!

I'm not sure where the last 4 years have gone, but last week, we celebrated this boy:


Check out that smile. He was pretty excited it was his birthday.

He got to open one present at breakfast, so decked out in his party hat Eliza made for him, he excitedly opened it.

Bucket O Soldiers! (from Toy Story) Check them out!


We had to do a little school, but quit early to make a cake. A yellow Triceratops was on order. As I was slapping on the frosting, I wondered if I maybe should have hired my friend Stacey to make it instead. I'm not sure it looks like a Triceratops, maybe more like a friendly mid-evil dragon?

But I guess since the purpose is to please the birthday boy, I think I succeeded. He would run in every 10 minutes and report, "It's a yellow Triceratops!" Plus, who could question this smile?


It was a long wait through piano lessons until dinner, but we finally made it and even had a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa Stoddard! Pizza was the request, but wouldn't know know it! In typical Samuel fashion, even that was hard to eat.


Finally, after cousins came over, it was time to open the presents.


First one: A tool belt! He wore it for the rest of the night.


And the present he had been staring at all day long! (drum roll please)...LEGOS!



Then came the cake formalities (he ate it pretty quickly!)


And on to more important things.

Happy Birthday buddy! We're glad you are in our family!