Happy Birthday, Danny

Our Danny turned four this week. I had a little freak-out moment a couple days later when it occurred to me, for the first time, what comes after four...i can't even write it.

We had quite a lucky morning, finding the perfect piggy bank Danny has always wanted when we grocery shopped and finding a friend who could come play.
Then family arrived. My parents and grandparents came for the week. And we headed to meet one more set of grandparents and cousins for a birthday dinner.
Danny is all about fishing. So he chose to eat in the "fishing room," even over the Mickey Mouse cartoon room (!?!?) at the illustrious John's Incredible Pizza. Poor Danny fell asleep as we drove in the parking lot. It took 45 minutes and a steady drip of soda to revive him for his own party. Grandpa didn't seem to mind too much.
Falling asleep in the evenings became a trend this week. Here he fell asleep waiting for dinner.
Kate bought Danny a neo pet with her own money. She was so proud. She even found one in his favorite color.
Danny celebrated his birthday at school the next day, the same day as his teacher's birthday. So our cupcakes celebrated both birthdays. Both days were rainy, rainy days.
Danny, you're our sunshine. Often when I'm coming in the house from an errand, I can hear you laughing or singing or talking or running before I even unlock the door. And you are almost always doing at least one of these things. Except during Kate's violin lessons and visiting teaching appointments, when you are very quiet. You are always picking flowers to give to Kate and otherwise making us feel very loved. You somehow come up with the best ideas of things we can do together, and have some very interesting ideas for inventions that often involve doing some of the work for mom. You can't help but be good and obedient, it's just part of you. Every day we can't believe our luck for having you in our family.