Zev is 4!

Zev is four today, and we took lots of pictures of his special day! 

Last night, Ari and I blew up lots of balloons.  We had them hanging in his doorway to walk through and all over the floor.  

He came out and started immediately ripping them all down. 

Then he ran right over to the bike that Buby and Buster gave him for his birthday that was sitting in the middle of the hall. 

And back to rip down the balloons.  

 Tahl had to come out and investigate. 

 The guys had lots of fun kicking all the balloons into Zevi's room. 

There was a trail of presents all the way to the kitchen table. The first one was a new LeapPad game from Ari and I. 

Another game!

Tahl helped Zev unwrap the next present. 

 Clothes from Grandpa George and Grandma Dee! 

 The next thing Zev unwrapped was a book and  a card from Grandma Mimi.  The card was a musical card, and Tahl was dancing around to it all morning. 

Last, but not least Zev ended at the kitchen table.  There was a new board game from Uncle Oren waiting there, and a new magformers set purchased with money from Nana, Buby, and more put together. 

 Zev had to try out the new magformers immediately. 

 Zev had two birthday pancakes with sprinkles, some bacon, and still insisted he was so hungry he needed a banana. 

 A little later, Mimi came over to visit the boys and bring Zev presents. 

This kid stole the pirate hat and sword, and he has been trying not to return them all day. 

He's a pretty silly pirate.  He keeps telling me he is going to hook me. 

 Here is Zev trying on the Super Why costume from his Mimi. 

Tahl had "a little frog" in this cage.  He was telling us all about how the frog lives on the beach. 

Here is the pirate Zev building.  When I asked him for a block, he told me, "NO! Captain Hook doesn't share!"  He might be taking this costume a little too seriously. 

 After Mimi left, we tried out Zev's new bike. 

He was so excited. 

Next we had fish sticks, macaroni, and broccoli for lunch at Zev's very specific request. 

After a short rest, we went to the Perot Museum.  Zev always picks three things we have to do.  He chose to go on the escalator first. 

He and Tahl had fun scooping things in the bird area.

 After the bird floor, we went to the children's area on the bottom floor for the rest of our time. 

The water table is usually the favorite. 

 Zev told me he was inventing machines. 

T was just floating boats. 

 Tahl was giving the squirrel stuck in the log a drink of water. 

Next we went out to the sandbox. 

 Zev was loving this table that had a chute that would fill his bucket with sand. 

Tahl was baking me a "banilla" cake.  When asked what the ingredients were, he told me "strawberries, apples, and cheetahs."  I said I wasn't sure if I like cheetahs in my cake, so he took it out and carried it over to Ari. 

Then he made me another cake with sprinkles over there. 

Zev had to get in on the cake making.  His had lots of ingredients with lots of frosting and sprinkles. 

Yum.

Tahl couldn't help putting this bucket on his head.  He was a little messy. 

 We cleaned up and went for dinner at Zev's favorite restaurant, Chipolte. 

 Instead of cupcakes or cookie cake, Zev requested that we go to Monster Yogurt on his birthday.  He got a swirl of watermelon and orange.  He loved it, but he isn't too discerning when it comes to dessert. 

Tahl enjoyed his frozen yogurt too. 

This character was outside to celebrate the shop's birthday.  Tahl met her on the way in, and he made him take him back out to hug "the silly monster" again. 

 This place has a playground. 

It was a fun way to end the big birthday! 

 Zev really wanted to climb on the ball, and Tahl tried to help him on.  They were not successful. 

We were so glad to spend a day with Zev celebrating. He has grown and changed so much in the last year.  We could not be more proud of him.  He makes me a better person every day.

We love you Zevi!