The Turkey Sub is Four!

Should I be embarrassed to admit that I haven't blogged about this grand event yet because blogger changed its dashboard and every time I started to do it I got super stressed and spazzy about figuring it out? I should? Oh. Well, in that case, just kidding. I've been.... out of town?

Anyway! On May 12th our lovely Leah Lou Mae reached an all-important milestone---her 4th birthday! Apparently back in the stone age children were only considered viable members of society once they reached the age of 4 because it was at that age that they were first perceived to be able to outrun several of the man-hunting predators of that time era. Isn't that interesting? Oh really? Cause I just made it up, suckas!

BUT, the Turkey Sub DID indeed turn four. I didn't make up that part. And this is what she looked like on that blessed day....

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that nearly everything about 4 year old Leah makes me slap happy and swoony. She is funny and smart and sassy and the biggest ham on the planet. She is the most social little butterfly that ever was, and even has one of those 60's television show "special connection" relationships with the grandpa that lives next door... whose name is Ceasar... and who doesn't speak English... but whenever she sees him out watering his plants she runs as fast as she can out the door and clutches onto the fence from atop our flower pots and gives him life advice. Like Wilson from Home Improvement. And he loves her and helps her practice Spanish. And it's my very favorite.

Anyway, we celebrated in traditional fashion this year with a little party and lots of loot. 

And singing cards from grandmas that are serious cat nip for children...

Leah's favorite present was this new scooter. She rides it everywhere, at all times of the day. Even into the bathroom. Not kidding. 

Our neighbors are SUPER stoked about Leah's new scooter, too. I promise. 

It should be noted that in the 2 weeks since Leah's scooter arrived, her skills have improved significantly and she is now grinding and popping wheelies.... See?

And then of course we were off to "the restaurant." Which is code for Panera Bread, the Turkey Sub's favorite place to eat and the only restaurant in the world as far as she is concerned.... 

This photo was taken right before an ambitious bus boy asked me if I could "get my kids to settle down." Apparently Panera is gettin' classy, folks. I told him to shut his trap and get back to work! OR I got all stammery and nervous and said sorry five times in rapid fire. 

The culmination of the whole event was at preschool the next week when Leah got to sit on the "birthday pillow" during worship and be serenaded by the whole group. You can't tell in the video but she was so moved by it all that at the very end she shed a couple of tears of joy. At the end, her teacher presents her with a special birthday book, but you won't be able to make it out because she is a low-talking-spell-casting-toddler-whisperer. 

Please pardon my over-enthused, proud-parent singing in the background. 

Her birthday was picture perfect... Oh, little Leah Lou. How did you get to be so big and smart and FOUR? Your mother is panicking. I love you to the moon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!