Jacob's Birthday

On Saturday Jacob turned four years old. It seems like a life-time ago (which literally it was), but in the best way. Life has been full of wonderful days and they continue on.

We followed our usual Saturday routine of baked oatmeal breakfast. We added some present opening. We space out the presents throughout the day to try to avoid overload. Jacob sometimes has a rough time at Christmas with the unending line of presents for everyone.

He opened his presents from Mommy, Daddy, and Lucy. We bought him a remote control pirate ship and a bicycle bell (the bicycle is still wending its way through the mail system). We put the bicycle bell on his scooter, put the scooter in the car along with the ship and headed off to our favorite park.

We parked right near the boating pond so that we could try out the ship right away. Jacob took the first cruise and did a great job. He let Lucy have a turn. She really enjoyed it but mostly ran the ship backwards. A boy a little older than Jacob came along and Jacob offered him a turn at running the ship. The boy's dad said, "Now Eric, don't sail out too far. I don't want to have to wade in to get it." The day was overcast, damp, and a little chilly. Everything went well though. The present was a smashing success.

Jacob cruises for excitement

Lucy takes a turn

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of apple juice!

Then we headed across the park to the playground for more fun. Jacob had fun ringing his bell as he followed Mommy through the park.



Jacob and Lucy enjoyed most of their favorite play equipment.

Two for one fun!

Unfortunately, the night before there had been a fire at the wooden castle, which was just about completely gone. We were very sad to see such arson.

before

after

We eventually returned home for a snack and to Skype with Granny and Grandpa. They had a cake for Jacob on their end of the call which he helped blow out. Yes our connection was that good. Of course, it wasn't good enough for us to get a slice of the cake. Jacob opened their presents and was delighted with an iPod Shuffle and big, big headphones.

Figuring out how it works

Lunch and nap time went quickly. After naps, we Skyped with Uncle BJ, Aunt Amy, and Colin. It was great to catch up with them and hear some news about our old hometown.

The kids had a yummy tortellini dinner while Mom and Dad enjoyed sausages and rice. After dinner, we were back on Skype with Grandmama, Aunt Rosemary, and Aunt Regina. Another round of cake and presents was in order. We had brownies on our end (what Jacob picked out of all the cake mixes in the store) and opened the presents that had made it through the mail in time.

Auntie Rosemary gave Jacob his first Transformer

Lucy helps unwrap

What could it be?!?

We had fun playing with the toys and the relatives had fun watching over Skype. Then bath time was nigh, so we put things away and headed off for blissful sleep. Jacob had an awesome birthday.

And, of course, we will keep celebrating as presents trickle in through the mail.

UPDATE: Regina's gift made it on Tuesday and Jacob loves it:

So great, Jacob lost his trousers!