Owen's 4th Birthday

Today is Owen's 4th birthday. We may have stated this sentiment somewhere in here, but it's times like these that I'm reminded of one of my favorite expressions of parenting: the days are long and the years are short.  Four is kind of a weird time-frame too.  It doesn't sound like that awfully long, but looking back at those four years in particular, life without Owen seems an eternity ago.  I know that can be interpreted in a few different ways, but I mean that in the best one... mostly.

 

It's fun that we are starting to see his permanent characteristics (expressive, funny, determined/stubborn, kind, quick to temper but quick to cool off, sympathetic.) I'd love to say those traits are all awesome and manners and smiles, but we all know life isn't like that. What I can say, though, is that Owen is a developing into good, fun loving person and Carrie and I are proud of the young man he's becoming.

P.S. Birthday post soon.

The Rough Days of Parenting

These are the days that are rough. Having a sick kiddo and playing the game of, whose-work-will be-less-mad-if-you-missed-a-day. Poor little Owen came down with a pretty bad fever on Sunday night and it has yet to go away. He hit a high of 103.8 yesterday and 103 today. We took him to the doctor who said not to worry just yet (easier said than done) and that he most likely has a virus. The kid is a trooper when he's sick. Fairly low key and still has his sense of humor.


Poor little guy.

Easter 2012

Happy Easter everyone! Owen woke up bright and early to see what the Easter bunny did during the night. After searching for eggs, we had a nice little breakfast; went to the Botanical Gardens; and then went to see a movie with Dawn, Natalie, Kristi, and Miles. Owen is currently taking a nap, which is a good thing because the sugar crashes were getting a little rough, and we're getting ready to make dinner. Overall, a very nice day.

,
We painted eggs last night. It took a bit of convincing to get Owen to not paint every egg green. It was also the quickest I have ever painted eggs. Toddlers are a little impatient. "It ready yet? It ready yet?"


While he slept, that tricky Easter bunny hid all of Owen's eggs around the house. Being the observant child that he is, it took him less than 10 minutes to find all the eggs. The Easter bunny is going to be a bit more tricky next year.


After breakfast we went to the Botanical Gardens to see the butterfly exhibit. There were quite a few critters out and about. We saw chipmunks, a roadrunner, and lizards. Oh, and per Owen, we also saw a bee.


A family photo. These are rare so if 2 out of 3 people look okay in the photo, we consider it good.


Owen is at such a fun stage. He fully believes in the Easter Bunny/Santa/Leprechauns and creates his own little stories. For example, the Easter bunny is a very sneaky bunny who hides eggs and leaves gum. (Gum, not chocolate. His idea, not ours.) We're having as much fun with all of this as he is.