We can’t believe Hank is already 4 years old! We’ll never forget the day he was born, but time has certainly passed quickly since that day! Hank had a blast celebrating his birthday with friends and family. He wanted to have a dinosaur train party at our house and was very specific about who he chose to invite. He named each person and asked me to “make a list”. It was very organized and rather adorable.
His party was a blast. Hank’s preschool teacher and our family friend, Ms Valerie, made Hank the most perfect Dinosaur Train cake. He was SO pleased with it and excited about it that whenever a new guest arrived at the party, he would take them to see the cake first thing. Hank really likes dinosaurs right now and he felt his party was perfect. Grandma helped sew some fabulous tails (GG and Mommy stuffed and finished them) which delighted the children. They had fun trying them on, having races, playing dino ball (that was a sight to see, young children trying to hit a ball with a tail attached to their bodies). Very Fun.
Tyler made a giant triceratops puzzle from foam and cardboard and the children had the best time searching out the bones in our yard and helping to put the dinosaur together. They loved it! Of course, they loved demolishing the dino as much as putting it together. Once the triceratops was constructed, we tried to get the children to sit by it for a photo. (Not all of the party guests made that photo, but hey, we tried.) The moment the photos were snapped (on various cameras), the children jumped up and began tearing apart the dinosaur. The glee on their faces was priceless! We constructed and deconstructed the dino countless times throughout the afternoon, it was great fun.
Opening presents with that many young guests was something else. Hank really wanted to open his gifts and tell his friends thank you so he sat down in a chair and began opening them. It was like a present opening party. As many children as could got in on the opening presents action and everyone was excited with the discovery of each new gift. This party marks a new record for our family. Most children in our home at one time (19). Fortunately they were accompanied by their parents so the adults weren’t out numbered. 🙂 We’ve certainly had that many people at our home before for a gathering, but its always been adults. This was our first time having so many children at our house at one time. It was a success! Hank loved his party and had such a great time with his friends and family! 
The birthday fun didn’t stop there though. For dinner that evening (the day of his party), GG and Grandad took Hank out for dinner before they left town for thier home. Hank had pancakes for dinner! He loves having breakfast for dinner and we don’t do it very often so it was a special treat. Later in the week, we hosted another birthday party for Hank. Again, this one was his idea and he was very specific about the guest list. Hank had a birthday movie night with his “grownup” friends (we often call them his village). He planned the menu (little [pulled] pork sandwiches, rice with chickpeas, broccoli and “salad for the grownups”), we had cake (more Dinosaur Train cake – it was awesome!) and we watched whatever Hank wanted to see. Hank chose to watch an episode of Mama Mirabelle (about fossils) and introduced his adult friends to the world of Pocoyo, Everyone had a great time and after Hank went to bed, the adults stuck around for a more mature film (Wild Target, which everyone also enjoyed). Hank just loved getting to spend time with his special adult friends and it made us happy that they love Hank so much they were willing to watch kid shows with him. We are so blessed with good friends!
Hank’s birthday was another adventure! He had preschool that morning and his classmates made him a birthday banner and a hat. He wore that hat all day long. After preschool, Hank had lunch with Daddy. He could choose the restaurant because it was his birthday and he chose a local deli. The same deli where he broke his finger a few years ago. He remembers that but it doesn’t keep him from going. He says he really likes to eat there. We’re glad because we like to eat there too. After lunch we went for ice cream. Hank loves “the blue kind” (cotton candy I think), so of course that’s what he ordered. Messy, but wonderful. Later in the day, we went to a pumpkin patch and Hank selected a pumpkin to carve with Daddy. Since Daddy was leaving for China (work) the next day, he and Hank carved the pumpkin that night. Hank wanted to make a “surprised faced pumpkin” so that’s what they did. He got to stay up past his bedtime, eat whatever he wanted and spend time with his favorite people. It was an excellent day!
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