Whose 4 and funky?

Henry turned four on Friday (the 8th) complete with a week of celebration. We had a lovely dinner last Saturday with Grandpa B, Lulu, Uncle Robert, Jessica, and Nana. Henry had his first school birthday on Thursday with pretzels, cheddar cheese and fruit snacks for his birthday treat! On Friday, we took him to Bentley's (a restaurant in downtown) for dinner (Henry chose the location because it is named after a car...) with Gigi, Papa, Aunt Holly, Great Uncle Mark, Leah and Andrew. He had a big shirley temple and felt thoroughly celebrated! One of his birthday cards (from the Kings) said 'Whose 4 and funky?' on the front. Henry can be heard asking the question to himself several times throughout the day...always with a smile on his face.

We have decided (at least for now) that Henry is high-input, high reward. He requires a lot of us and has spent a good portion of this year testing limits with his endlessly persistent ways. He has intense emotions (happy, sad, and mad) and working with them can be challenging. However, he can be the most thoughtful, sincere, sweet boy as well. Sometimes we call it the pendulum when he goes from being difficult and intense to sweet, thoughtful and compliant. He is a wonderful host and loves to have company over and give tours of the entire house. He shares willingly (most of the time) with his friends and his sister and is quick to give hugs and kisses. He is precious to us and, Lord-willing, we will find more effective ways to offer him guidance and direction than we have this past year.


The birthday boy with his Shirley Temple



Checking out his new book from Aunt Holly...Papa looking as charming as ever



The cake...this year Henry's cake had 4 Bentleys around it (which we thought was fitting given the location) and all but the last one were already removed in mere seconds after he blew out his candles!



Ava so happy to be with Leah and Andrew



The birthday boy with Aunt Holly and his 4 balloons...



Henry doing the birthday ritual at school. He walks around the sun holding 'the earth' as the whole class sings "Watch the earth go round the sun, round the sun, round the sun, watch the earth go round the sun, Henry's one (to the tune of London Bridges)...and so on. He did one lap for each year and got to show his classmates pictures of himself from each year up until now. He's been waiting all year to take his turn!



Birthday snack at school--Henry choosing a prize from the birthday box.