Four years old

It seems like just a few months ago that I was writing about the boys turning 4 months old. We were living in Virginia, and the boys were still small enough to hold in one arm. I should clarify, you wouldn't have wanted to hold either of them in one arm for very long, but it could be done. Their favorite activities were riding in the stroller, bouncing in their air chair and getting tickled by mommy and daddy. Nate was still spitting up all over everything, and Sam was still having to do his neck stretches. Things weren't easy back then, but every day revealed a new joy that Gina and I marveled in.

The memories from those days are still very fresh, which is why it's so hard to believe our little baby boys are now 4 years old. I'm not sure what it was about this birthday, but it really hit me that they are growing up. They are starting to draw pictures and write their names, they know how to put their clothes on and take their dishes to the sink, and they play and interact like children, rather than being totally absorbed in their own little worlds. They will be in preschool one more year, and then it's off to Kindergarten. I can hardly believe the time is going so fast.

Besides being a time of unharnessed sentimentality on my part, this weekend was also full of celebrations, family, friends, goodies and gifts. On Friday, the boys opened their presents from Gina and I before school. They barely had enough time to play with them before we had to rush off to school. I'm pretty sure they were looking forward to getting back home all day so they could go right back to their new stockpile of awesomeness in the living room.  Gina brought cupcakes to the classroom for Sam and Nate to share with their friends, and it was a big hit. I had to go to Denton for some work, but they saved me a cupcake for when I got home.

On Sunday, we had a party for the boys at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve in Southlake. We had been there once before, and they really did a nice job with the party. It involved crafts, a nature hike, games and of course, cake and ice cream. It was a lot of fun seeing the boys interact with their friends and cousins at this party, which was one more sign that they are growing up and becoming independent. Despite some cold temps, the party was a success, and we left from there to watch the Super Bowl at Uncle Tommy's house (which as a success for only half the participants). In that regard, I find it interesting that the same teams that played this year are the same two teams that played on the day the boys were born (New England Patriots v. New York Giants). I remember watching the last quarter of the game while the boys got their first bath. The game had the same outcome both times, which is not great for me since I like the Patriots.

We were so happy to be able to spend this weekend celebrating the boys' birthday with friends and family, and though it was a joyous occasion, I will not go so far as to say I am looking forward to the next one. Not yet. Here are some more pictures from the celebratory weekend.

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