Four Year Check-up

Turning four isn't all fun and games.  After celebrating the big event with princess parties all weekend, on Monday we had to "celebrate" by getting caught up on our booster shots - three of them this visit.  :(

Though not particularly fun, this little champ shed NO TEARS.  In other great news, she weighed in three pounds heavier and an inch-and-a-half taller than she had in February, when she was initially diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  This growth spurt took her from the 50th percentile (where she had fallen after almost a year of little to no growth) back into the 80th.  We don't have updated bloodwork on her yet to confirm that her gluten-free diet is healing her, but all signs are positive in the growth department!

Happy Birthday, Hannah Marie!

FOUR YEARS OLD!  I can't believe it.  Our pumpkin has gone and turned into a "big kid" on us.  What a ride it's been.  

She elected to have a princess-themed celebration this year.  I believe this was done solely to annoy me, as I was pushing hard for a fun and more unique theme, such as Candy Land, only to be shot down by a rather insistent preschooler.  I digress...  We celebrated with her preschool friends on Saturday, and had her grandparents and Uncle Kent over on Sunday.

For the first time ever, I elected to outsource the kids' birthday parties.  Instead of running around like crazy awaiting the arrival of 8 preschoolers at my house, I took my girl out for [a gluten-free] breakfast.

She went in PJs, the only way she rolls.

After breakfast, and convincing a certain birthday girl to change out of her PJs, we headed to Gymco to prep for the preschool party.  (Gymco is a local gymnastics place where the girls have taken classes since last fall).

Princess snack bar 

Gluten-free cupcakes for a special gluten-free girl

Princess table

Ready to get the party started in the gym!

Hannah got extra bounces on the trampoline for being the birthday girl - score!

Big sister was there to help us ring in year four.

Hannah's favorite teacher, Miss Betsey, hosted the party - leading to one thrilled birthday girl

Hannah's friend Quinn

Completing the Princess obstacle course

Megan attempts to reach the top of the rock wall

After several attempts, she made it!

...and got to write her name on the Gymco Wall of Fame!

The Princesses await instruction for their next amazing gymnastics feat

Balancing on the snake pit!

Hazel crosses the dangerous snake pit

Hannah with friends Caley and Quinn

Fun with Quinn

Present time!

Hazel and Cadence in proper princess attire

Princess Partygoers

Birthday song time!

Opening presents with Vivi

Lots of great princess prizes to be had!

Thanks Gymco for a great party!

You know it's a good party when the birthday girl passes out on the way home.

We had a very special visitor arrive in time for a great Sunday morning surprise (her actual birthday):

Sparkle Teddy Bear!!  Complete with a birthday book and cupcake suit.

She had birthday surprises for Hannah, and even one for Megan.

Good surprise!  Good surprise!

Ready for a few more surprises from Mom & Dad

The surprises multiplied with the arrival of her grandparents and Uncle Kent

A true lady never reveals her age

New clothes sometimes necessitate an immediate wardrobe change

See? Told you.

Still working on our presents...

Olaf towel!  Score!

Birthday song time again - her last round for year 4.

Making her wish!

Our birthday girl

Trying to find that darn Waldo with Grandpa Purdy

Princess dress-up time with Hazel

Working hard at coloring her new cardboard castle from Uncle Kent (yes, that is another new outfit)

Taking up residence in her new living quarters

T-ball

Hannah's basketball class finished up last week, and now it's on to t-ball for our little sports nut.  The weather wasn't great for the first week of class, but she seemed pretty thrilled to be outside and running around - giving her a bat was icing on the cake.

 

Ready to get started.  This is the only time you'll catch this lefty on this side of the batter's box.

Dad and I both write left handed, but we do pretty much everything else with our right.  It was soooo weird to see this dominant lefty in action.

Action shot! She will not be accused of not putting her whole body into her throw, that's for sure.



Practicing her fielding skills.

Her turn to bat finally arrives - she immediately informed the coach "my name is Hannah and I'm left-handed".

Swing batter, swing!