Big Joe[y] Turns FOUR!

But first: Everything pictured is from Joey’s birthday celebration at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI plus his cake celebration at Nana and Grandpa’s house at Sunday dinner! 

Just like that, we have a four-year-old. An official preschooler. Not so much a toddler, but more the glimpse of a young boy. Or teenage boy if you count the number of times this little sass says, “no,” or the number of requests he makes for the iPad or my iPhone. I don’t know much about birth order, but I do know God put Joey in our lives as our oldest to ease me into this motherhood thing. He’s oh-so-chill personality has really held up well with my first-time parenting worries, woes, doctor visits, and google searches.

I’ve heard four is a game-changing year where kids start being more independent [putting on coats, putting dishes in the dishwasher, being more content playing without being entertained, etc.]. I’m ready for it— or at least that’s what I tell myself.

For those of you who have yet to meet our Joey, I can tell you he’s a lot like Ted in that he’s observant, kind, patient, doesn’t like confrontation [unless it involves his younger brother], won’t pick a fight, and likes all things technology related. I’m not really any of those things except kind, so I’ll take that as a win! From Mom, Joey has learned how to push his brother’s buttons, helps his sister go down the stairs and slide, has an appetite for all things melted cheese on bread, and loves a good snuggle on the couch.

We celebrated Joey’s birthday with all the things he loves: trains, dinosaurs, pizza, and cake. LOTS of cake. Oh and a sleepover at Nana and Grandpa’s he won’t stop talking about for weeks.

So here’s to the sweet young man that never stops asking questions, or talking. And to the Mom who freaked that at two-years-old that he would never talk. Kids teach us things year after year, don’t they?!