4!

Aaron has been anxiously anticipating his 4th birthday for weeks...discussing who would come to his "party" and what we would do. In the spirit of celebrating Aaron, we kicked off the festivities with a trip to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America on Monday, January 17, since everyone had the day off for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Each boy used one of the two passes Santa gave them for Christmas.

Aaron and Collin on BIG RIDES RUGRAT REPTARMOBILES


SWIPER'S SWEEPER; Nolan's very first carnival ride, snuggled safely in Daddy's arms.



Posing with Sponge Bob and Patrick
SPLAT-O-SPHERE
CAROUSAL
On Friday, Jan. 21, I took Aaron and Nolan to CUB so we could gather the necessary supplies for Aaron's "build your own pizza" birthday party. Aaron perused the isle with boxed cakes, settling on a lemon cake mix with lemon frosting to make cupcakes. He also selected a special candle that sings, "Happy Birthday".

Aaron's official Birthday Party on Saturday, January 22, from back, left to right: Grandma Honey Honey, Andrea, Daddy, BaPa Minnows, Nolan, Grandpa EIO, front: Collin, the birthday boy, Mommy and Grandma EIO. Uncle Ryan took the picture.
4! As is his style, Aaron opted not to eat his cake.
Camouflage fishing hat from BaPa Minnows and Grandma Honey Honey. They also gave Aaron some fishing gear, 6 card games, and money for his education fund.
Flannel shirt from Grandpa and Grandma EIO. They also gave Aaron some money for his education fund. Can you say Elmer Fudd?
A Razor scooter from Mom and Dad!
A couple days following his birthday party it occurred to Aaron that everyone at the party just "talked"...except for Daddy and Uncle Ryan..."who played a little Wii with me." "That's not very nice, is it Mommy?"

On Monday, January 24, we hosted a play date with Aaron's friend, Toby, from preschool. Because school was out of session for quarter break, Toby's sister, Claire, who is enrolled in the half-day kindergarten program at Westwood, came with her mom, Renee, and brother to meet Collin. Aaron played shy, and spent the majority of their time together playfully hiding from Toby and giggling.

Aaron celebrated his actual birthday, January 25, at daycare with the Zywickis. Lori honored him with the opportunity to choose the lunch menu for the "big kids", peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Lori also baked him a cake, that, to her dismay, he refused to eat. Adam told her not to take it personally, explaining that Aaron didn't even eat his own party cupcakes.

Wednesday, January 26, was Aaron's special day at preschool. They kicked off the day with the Teddy Bear parade.


Aaron with his classmates and their stuffed animal friends.
Aaron brought his tackle box for show and tell, and then, with Mrs. Johnson's help, shared his "Poster about me" with his classmates.

My 3 wishes
1) When I grow up I want to be a "regular" person
2) I want to live on a farm
Mrs. Johnson, "Why do you want to live on a farm, Aaron?"
Aaron, "So I can have a chicken."
3) To play Stratego with my family

When I grow up I want to be..."a baseball player."