Look Who's Four!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAYA!

Maya had a very happy fourth birthday today! We started the morning with some family time. We opened presents and had some family time, Grandpa and Auntie Pam included.

Maya had a princess birthday this year, right down to her new princess bicycle. Unlike Owen, who tore up the sidewalk with his tricycle before moving up to four wheels and then down to two, Maya's been holding out for a bike. And I have to tell you, it was a signature moment of what I always dreamed fatherhood would be when I found myself down in the basement on Wednesday night, assembling the bike from the seat to the front wheel ... all the way down to the tassels in the handlebars.

Maya started off a little tentatively, but then VOOM! She was off!

Missing the birthday was hard on Maya's Grammie and Grampy, but we enjoyed some phone time with them on their trip to Arizona. We also checked in with Uncle Daniel, wrapped deeply in his own birthday celebration in Massachusetts with Owen and Maya's new cousin Cooper, born on March 23.

Cousin Esme with baby Cooper.

He's a handsome devil!

Maya on the phone with Grammie and Grampy.

 Maya's friends then came over for a party. We had a great time with a full house. Costumes were worn. Toys were played with. Cupcakes eaten.

But soon it was time to say good-bye to all our friends and family. We'll do it all again next weekend when Grampy and Grammie get back home.

One final photo to add at the end. Last night when I was reading the kids a book before bed, I told Owen, "Hey, you'd better get in your last hug of this three-year-old sister. It's your last chance."

This is the photo.

Clearly we all love you, Maya! Happy birthday!