The actual birthday

Today is the actual day - J turned 4! It's hard to believe it's been 4 years, and yet it feels like a lot longer that he's been a part of our lives. He opened his present from us this morning - a Lightening McQueen watch (the ONLY thing he had asked for) and proudly wore it to church. He took donuts as a special treat to his class since he doesn't get to celebrate with school friends. He's had phone calls and a special visit...and then got to go to his best school bud's birthday party at a water park! It was a special way to spend the day as a family.

He really impressed us with his independence. After going down the slide, he didn't much care where we were. He just kept getting out and going back to the top. The kids enjoyed the lazy river too - with Clay teaching E to hold her nose when going under the sprinklers! Clay took E down the slide once before we learned he couldn't hold her, and she was NOT thrilled about going by herself. She did brave another tunnel slide after watching her big brother. She had a blast in the sprinklers though. It's amazing how much older he seems just overnight.

Tonight, he's exercising his new awareness of needing to go to the potty (PRAISE THE LORD - he's almost turned that corner completely!!!). He's been in bed for 1 hour and come out 4 times...and each time he has gone. Not exactly sure how to handle this one - don't want to squash this awareness, but also don't want him to start a ritual of multiple post-bedtime sightings! We are just so excited that he's finally getting it - it's been a long road with all of his sensory issues and processing delays.