Happy Birthday, Eli!

We can't believe that Eli has been a part of our lives for 4 years now.  Eli is an incredible kid.  He is a lot of fun, has an incredible imagination, very inquisitive (asks questions all day long), he's very intelligent, and he is becoming very social.  He loves being with his friends and laughs a lot when playing.  Eli looks and acts so much older than 4 that we have to remind ourselves that he is still a baby.  He still is very much attached to Stinky dog and loves for me to read him books and sing to him at bedtime. That's when I remember how little he really is.  And I love that.  Sometimes we look at him and he seems so tiny and innocent, other times we are shocked at how mature he seems (and talks). 

Eli had his 4 year doctor appointment today, which was rough.  It started great, but ended in 4 shots. Poor guy!  As we expected, our Eli is tall and thin.  He weighs a little over 37 lbs (64%) and is over 42 inches tall (92%). 

For his birthday this year, Eli really wanted to have a party at a place called Jumpzone.  We decided to compromise and instead of renting a party room and having a 'formal' party there, we let him invite some friends and we paid their admission.  They all had a blast!  We then went next door to McDonald's for lunch and they ate together and we had cupcakes.  It was a very fun, stress-free day. 

Eli on his birthday opening gifts from family. Cory and I got Eli some Chuggington trains he wanted and a real digital Fisher Price camera.  He has taken about a million pictures with it. I'll have to post some in the future!

Eli was pumped to get a new real t-ball bat from Memaw and Pepaw

Opening his pirate treasure chest from Aunt Mandi and Uncle Michael

Eli opening his many gifts from Grandma and Grandpa

Eli and his buddies at McD's with his cupcake cake.  :)   Gwyn McClain couldn't make it to lunch, so she is missing from the pic.  Evan was wondering around too! And Bryn was sleeping.  ha!

Evan found his way back when he realized there was a cupcake for him!

This pic makes me laugh because Owen wanted to sit by himself.  He just turned 6, so he is starting to be "too cool" for these little guys.  :)