Benjamin is 4!

On Saturday, we celebrated Benjamin's 4th birthday! It's hard to believe that our baby is 4, he has been a sweet love bug since the day he was born...

He has grown and learned so much this year. He loves to be outside any chance he can get, and has fun playing with this trucks, climbing trees, playing baseball, and soccer. He loves music and enjoys singing, dancing, and listening to Nathan play the guitar. 

Benjamin likes school and tries hard with his english and arabic letters. He is learning to recognize and write letters in both languages, and we often catch him singing arabic songs at home. He is very sociable at school, especially with the girls! Benjamin likes a good book, especially rhyming books like Dr. Suess, or anything with vehicles or construction.

This year, Benjamin had his good friend's Sean and Mary sleep over on his birthday eve. After dinner with their family, we had cupcakes, the famous candles, and sang Benjamin happy birthday! I tried to make him a strawberry cake the day before, but it crumbled so he picked out cupcakes from a delicious bakery instead.

The sleep over was a lot of fun and the boys were up talking and laughing in bed until almost 10:30 at night. Mary was smart and she crashed early. Nathan and I decorated for a soccer party this next morning, and Benjamin was excited to see 'the football map on the table' when he woke up! Everyone was up by 6:30am, and we enjoyed some Mickey Mouse pancakes, muffins, eggs, and sausage for birthday breakfast.

Benjamin received some very nice gifts - thank you! One of his favorites was a lego batman and catgirl set that Caleb gave him. To say he was excited when he saw what it was, is an understatement!

Enjoying their new hot wheels car carrier from Uncle Aaron.

Some awesome baseball gear and books for both boys from Grandpa Mark and Grandma Betty, complete with paint for their faces and big league chew gum!

And a new drum set from Grandpa Art and Grandma Sue! . There's been lots of drumming and signing in our house...or in the glass room outside our house!

Later that day, we went to their friends Sean and Ava, who are twins, 5th birthday costume party. The baseball gear was impeccable timing, and they both went as ball players.

I tried to get pictures of them both smiling, but it wasn't in the cards.

And then the flick of a hat and the tears started flowing!

Turning 4 is hard :(

By the time we got to the party, both boys were all smiles. Who wouldn't be with lots of friends, a bouncy castle, clown who does face painting, 2 pinatas, and lots of good food! On a side-note, I just learned about creepy clown sightings...thankfully not here in Jordan, ha! Seriously, what is the world coming to!?

Hello batman

Enjoying the bouncy castle.

And the water table with sensory jelly beads.

Pinata time. The boys got in one line for Sean, and girls got in another line for Ava and whacked away. The boys piñata was busted open first. Caleb has seen a piñata once before and knew exactly what to do, but it was Benjamin's first time and he was a little apprehensive about gathering candy when it all fell...rest assured they both left with plenty.

After signing the twin's happy birthday, Benjamin told their mom it was his birthday too and everyone sang him happy birthday too. It was a fun couple days to celebrate Benjamin turning 4!

And lastly, for Benjamin's annual birthday questions:

1. What is your name? Benjamin Aaron Purcell

2. How old are you? Four

3. Who is your best friend? Caleb, Lydia, and Mary

4. What is your favorite thing to do? Play with my diggers, toy cars, and baseball

5. What is your favorite color? Black like Batman

6. What is your favorite food? Chicken nuggets with ketchup

7. What do you like to do with your family? Family movie night with popcorn and hot chocolate

8. What is your favorite toy? My digger switch-and-go dino

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? Captain America

10. What makes you happy? Someone who smiles with me

11. What makes you sad? When Caleb doesn't share his toys with me

12. What is your favorite TV show? Peppa Pig

13. What is your favorite book? Big Dog Little Dog

14. What do you love to learn about? Arabic

15. What was the best part of your birthday? My sleepover

16. Where do you like to go? Petra

17. Who is your teacher? Ms. Dana, Ms. Da'ed, and Ms. Maria

18. What is your favorite treat? Popsicles

19. What do you think about before you fall asleep? I talk a little bit with Caleb, then I fall asleep

20. If you could meet someone famous, who would it be? Thomas the Train

21. What was your favorite birthday present? The Batman lego set

Happy 4th birthday sweet Benjamin! We love you so much and are so thankful for the love and joy you bring into our lives!