Alex turned 4 on Monday, the 14th. He still insists on using pull-ups when he needs to go #2. He wears underwear throughout the day and night and does fine. Only when he has to go #2, does he put on pull-ups by himself. I did take away the pull-ups a few months ago, and he used his pants. I figured when he is ready to use the potty, he will do it on his own. Last night, he woke up twice and changed into a pull-up and did what he needed to do (he had the runs). He then woke me up to change him.
I came downstairs to find Alex with the container of strawberries opened, about to eat one. I told him to wait so I could wash them and I put them on the kitchen counter.
We came home and Alex's birthday was the next day. He wanted a yellow cake because he loves Bumblebee, the transformer (a girl during Halloween painted an actual bee on his cheek!). He turned 3 and if you ask him, he insists that he is still 2. He is trying to stop time I guess, but definitely do not call him a baby. He will punch first, then tell you he is a "little boy".
We came home from a trip to Disney World on Henry and Max's birthday. We previously told them they were getting bikes and they would get to pick them out. We had not gone bike shopping, but the boys wanted presents. I went to the stash in our closet and picked out two puzzles (they were glow in the dark!). I could tell from Henry, Max and Herb's faces that that was not the best choice. Herb had disgust on his face and went to get them different presents. They were excited about their Optimus Prime (another transformer) and a Superman toy. We told them earlier that we would celebrate their birthday the next day because of the drive. The next morning, Henry runs into my room and says,"Mommy, I'm ready for my present". How does this happen? He was not happy when I explained he had to wait for his bike. This is after the fact that both boys have told me they do not want bikes. I, of course, think I know best and so they are getting bikes. I know they will love them!
I decided to speed things up and measure the dry ingredients myself. Alex decided he would add them, and used the flat spatula to transfer piles of flour to the bowl. He decided that was not fast enough, took the measuring cup and threw it in the bowl of flour. Needless to say, my perfect measurements were not so perfect anymore. He decided the best way to get butter out of the wrapper was to squeeze it. You might wonder where was I? I was standing right there, I have a little speedy gonzales! Luckily, I was able to save the eggs from his grasp.
Max loves to build his own creations from the tinker toys. When he wants one built from a picture on the side of the container, he calls me. They have destroyed the paper that came with it that had the bigger illustrations, so you can imagine this takes some concentration.
We noticed a little after 3pm it was snowing.!The boys wanted to go outside and catch snowflakes on their tongues. The kids put on their slippers, jackets, and smiles and ran outside. Sophie had a friend over and they were excited about showing the boys the snow.
I was taking some video and I noticed Henry laying on the driveway. I thought, "Oh no, I hope he doesn't try to make a snow angel." Henry sat up and said,"Mommy, I'm not sliding!" I just had to get a picture, so Max decided to join him.
Alex didn't care about the snow, we were outside and that meant he could play baseball. He usually grabs the T-ball stand, the bucket of balls and the bat, sets everything up and goes for it. He's so fun to watch.
Ruth's post made me remember just how excited Alex was opening up his presents and how proud I was about Alex's excellent taste in sports cars:
Alex turned 2 today! I can't believe how fast the last 2 years have flown by. It seems only yesterday Elizabeth and I raced off to the hospital, with friends watching the kids until Ruth came over to watch them for the rest of the day.
He really enjoyed the birthday cupcakes and eventually got the the idea of blowing out his 2 candles, but then for some reason he started kissing his, over, and over, and over again. Of course we all had a quite a good laugh and it didn't take long before his siblings just had to start doing the same thing!
As you can see he was extremely happy to find out he had finally gotten his OWN Buzz Lightyear action figure, after St Nikolaus so rudely ignored his little heart's wishes for one.
St Nikolaus stopped by last night and dropped off some goodies for the kids. It's an old German Tradition (roll over for a link on wikipedia explaining that Nikolaus is actually the base for our modern day Santa Claus! I didn't know that.) for children to put a boot outside their door. The next morning they will find candies, fruit and sometimes a small present. He pretty much looks just like Santa and Henry calls him "Santa's Little Brother". Unfortunately Sophie was already off to school when we took these photos. Max and Henry were quite happy with their presents and candy, but as you can see Alex not so much. Max got a Woody toy, Henry got a Buzz Lightyear and Alex got several small toy cars, but he really wanted a Buzz Lightyear toy, too! I tell you what, that little boy has gotten more of an attitude lately than the rest of them combined! Aunt Maryann christened him "King Alex" on our vacation and for a good reason. If he isn't happy, he will make sure EVERYBODY knows. 
Henry is happy.
Alex? Not so much. It looks like he's thinking:
So "King Alex" throws down his toy cars and walks away mad.
