The Real Fourth Birthday!

Son1's birthday was finally here, his Big Boy birthday. Goodbye three, hello four. I recognized the differences between three and four long before today. He identifies gender differences more and more, wanting things that are for Boys Only. If his daddy was his hero yesterday, he is even more so today. He yearns to emulate him in every sense. He is growing into a little man already!
I am so proud, but at the same time I am amazed at how we got here.

Newborn narrowly arrives escaping a C-section, 7lbs 11 oz, 21.5 inches.

Blink. Size 6 underwear, size 12 shoes, and regular 5 (not 5T) clothes.

Blink. TURNS FOUR. Blink. Blink.

Right before my eyes. Blink.

Son1 and Hubby wore matching shirts, and Son2 and I also sported yellow shirts, because we love to match. Birthday breakfast was a feast at our favorite breakfast place. Son1 had his usual, scrambled eggs, Hawaiian fried rice, and old fashioned pancakes with whipped butter and strawberry syrup.
He shared his meal with Son2. I leaned over to spread his whipped butter and serve his strawberry syrup. I was interrupted by, "No, Mommy. I do it all myself because I am FOUR and I am getting bigger and bigger." Hubby and I exchanged glances. Oh boy, here we go.It was a special day. Hubby and I needed a little something for celebration, too. We passed on the cake at the party the day before. But today, ooh lah lah....we feasted on a mango and cream biscuit, swimming in butter, with our breakfast.
That was our morning. A few garage sales, some presents, and a nap later, the kids and I found ourselves on the windward side of the island at Chip and Cookie.

Chip and Cookie is owned by Wally Amos, founder of the Famous Amos chocolate chip cookie brand. His cookie dough, called Chip and Cookie , sells at Costco, and his Uncle Wally's Muffins sell at Costco, Wal-Mart, and Sam's.He used his fame as an actor, cookie entrepreneur, and writer to become the national spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America. Three years ago his wife created Chip and Cookie, two characters in the shape of chocolate chip cookies. These store mascots are promoters of literacy.

On Saturdays, Wally reads to children at Chip and Cookie. He is a huge supporter of PBS Hawaii, and is on TV reading to children.
We walked in, and Son1 removed his shoes (Hawaiian custom) before sitting on the beach towels while Wally read Where is the Green Sheep? Son2 refused to sit with me. He inched his way up to his big brother, his best friend.
Afterward Wally offered all of the children and their parents free sample cookies. I purchased a quarter pound of Butterscotch Chip with Pecans, the cookie of the month, to take with us. Son1 grabbed a copy of Wally Amos Presents Chip & Cookie: No More Chocolate Chips! from a shelf and asked me to buy it for him. Soon enough, it was his turn to sit with Uncle Wally. (Uncle is a term of respect in Hawaii, like sir in the South.)
We asked Uncle Wally to sign Son1's book. He took one look at Son1 and asked how old he was, because he is a tall kid. I told him Son1 turned FOUR today. Wally was beside himself. He couldn't believe we came all the way to his store to celebrate Son1's birthday. He autographed the book, and handed Son1 a gift, his CD, and he signed that, too. Then, he played his kazoo-like wooden harmonica (I'm not really sure what it is) around his neck to the tune of Happy Birthday and requested the whole store sing Happy Birthday to Son1. It was soo cool.

Blink blink. In a few hours we were all at home, and Hubby and I tucked a four year old little boy into bed for the first time.