Z turns 4

For a few weeks now, I've been collecting thoughts and stories about Z to share, and his birthday seems like the perfect time.

Z is such a cuddly kid. Any time anyone sits down to read to him, he always squirms his body right next to the Reader's while saying "cuddle, cuddle" until the Reader embraces him with one arm and commences reading. Often, apropos of nothing, he will say "I love you," and then follow it up with a big hug and/or kiss. He loves to send air kisses too.

With all this cuddly cuteness, you might think that's all he is, but that would be an incorrect concept. This kid loves to wrestle - especially with A or Uncle Justin. He also speaks in a very loud voice a lot! We regularly have to remind him to "lower your volume". He's got a great sense of humor, and loves to share secrets with his brother. If asked who is best friend is, you'll still find that A is his number one answer.

Here are a few Z-isms:
choffick = chocolate
walkels = waffles
ga-nastics = gymnastics

As for his birthday, we celebrated on Sunday with a small gathering of friends and family for snacks and dessert in the way of Oreos, a huge chocolate chip cookie with purple icing, and whipped cream for dipping. Some of the pictures are below. Z made out like a bandit with his gifts, but the clear front runner was the Lego Star Wars set that was "Just like [A]'s. Now I have my own!" However, he's slowly making his way through all of the toys and can't seem to find a true favorite. As I write, he's busily making use of the Playdoh Fun Factory set from Uncle Dave and Aunt Murielle, once again playing with the purple playdoh.

 Z and AD pre-gift opening

 ZN, Z and BJ checking out legos

 Baby M shows off her crawling skills

On his actual birthday, we started off by sharing raisins with friends at Strollers and Slides; then moved our party to lunch at A's school (I brought Wendy's); then we stopped by HyVee for a free balloon (purple, natch), movie rental from Red Box (The Lorax), and "mega" chocolate cupcake; and finally we celebrated Z and Rey's birthday over dinner of pizza for the boys while the adults had Shepherds Pie, and dessert of key lime pie. All in all, it was a pretty fabulous birthday!

 A, Justin, Z & Rey

Thanks for all the birthday love, presents and wishes for Mr. Z. He has enjoyed it all!

Artists

My guys love to think of their bodies as the perfect canvas for any artistic media, and this week they chose acrylic paint. Admittedly, I was remiss in thinking I could leave two energetic boys outside with paint, brushes, etc. I could almost hear the sun urging them to free themselves from the confines of the project I had assigned them.

"Here's all you'll need to paint the boards in front of you. Enjoy. Have fun," and off I went to make chicken cutlets and pasta with sauce, with occasional checks.

The first two checks on the kids went fairly well, but right in the middle of cooking the first round of chicken cutlets, my two little artists unveiled the more enjoyable art on their bodies. Behold:

 The Artists

 Mom-approved canvas, 1

 Mom-approved canvas, 2