Dear William...

Dear William,

Your birthday was on Saturday but we were having so much fun celebrating that I am just now sitting down to think about all the things I want to tell you.

2/13/12

I cannot believe you are FOUR years old. I know that I will say that every year of your life and I know that it really DOES seem like four years (or more?!) have passed, but I still can't believe YOU are four.

2/14/12

Your life has seemed like a whirlwind to me so far. With James, we eased into parenthood. I stayed home with him and we were in Perry so it was just us and it was quiet. Your life has never been quiet. You had an older brother and then when you were 17 months old we moved and when you were 19 months old Poppy died and then I started working again and then we bought a house and James started kindergarten and a million little things in between that have just made your life LOUD. I am home with you today because your shots yesterday have made you run a fever and I LOVE days like this with you that aren't LOUD.

You are such a wild little man. You aren't wild in the run-around-like-crazy sense of the world, not really. You are a BOY, but you are wild in a different way. You are sneaky and you make up the most crazy stories (LIES!) and you are TOUGH and you are the snuggliest thing ever. You are a mama's boy and I love it, but you say that you are "Mama's boy AND Daddy's boy."

You love...Paw Patrol, medicine, your "wolf pack" at school, snuggling, watching Netflix, playing with "Names," playdates, giving me kisses to make Daddy jealous, and trying new foods.

You don't like...going to school (this is seriously a struggle every day and has been for three years...you love school, but hate GOING), eggs, grits, princesses, being on-the-go, eating lunch (OHHHH the struggle every day), taking a nap, and not being as old as James.

You keep us on our toes for SURE. You know those people that say their kids are "into everything?" Ohhh...you might put their kids to shame. There are times when I wonder how you even THOUGHT to get into the mischief you get into. I  often lock my bedroom door just to keep you from messing with ALL the stuff in the house.

You are growing and changing every day and I just can't believe you are FOUR. One more year having you home and then I have to send you off to "big" school with James. Sometimes I am counting down the days, but most of the time I am dreading it.

I love you, Buddy Boo!

Love,

Mama

Howdy, Partner!

We had Will's birthday party last weekend. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. It was warm and sunny all day long and we thoroughly enjoyed it! I was thrilled we could have the party OUTSIDE my house. :)

We did a cowboy theme this year and we played games for the first time ever. I totally borrowed Dixie Delight's little boy's party from several years ago. It turned out cute and was SO easy to throw together. Special shoutout to my "yard lady" - Grandmama - who got everything outdoors looking nice before the big day!

{Blacked out information. Invitation from Shutterfly.}

{Made by Amy Tippins. You can contact her at her blog - Total Tippins Takeover - or her Etsy shop - www.etsy.com/shop/OneGoodName.} 

Panning for gold was the BIGGEST hit. I will pull this one out again in the future!

Nancy made our cake again this year and I think it's my FAVORITE one that she's done! I was THRILLED when it came in the door. I always tell her the theme and sometimes give her some pictures, but typically she just does what she wants. I only gave her a plate this time but the cake fit PERFECTLY. Will didn't want to cut it.

After everyone arrived we started playing games. We did a stick horse relay, had panning for gold, a horse roping station, horseshoes, a "branding" station {face painting}, and a horse "grooming" station {pin the tail on the donkey}. Like I said, the panning for gold was the crowd favorite. 

I could NOT take them seriously with this face paint. Those eyebrows on Will!

We asked our friends to bring books for us to donate so we waited and did presents (from family) after the party. Will got several movies, some Batman blocks, some dress up, a ball pit, and some Ninja Turtle toys, and a bike from us. Little boy wracked up even though it was family-only gifts!

We had a GREAT day! Happy Birthday, Wild Will!