Birthday fun!

On Gavin’s fourth birthday, we went to COSI with the intention of seeing the Dinosaur exhibit. The night before, Brandon was on the COSI website and found out that there would be a big machines exhibit the next day. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Gavin loves construction vehicles and for him to not only see dinosaurs but also the trucks, perfect!

Gav looks so little on that big steam roller!

I think this had to have been one of the highlights! Gavin was able to get into the Bobcat and actually operate it. He scooped dirt and dumped it. Sometimes he got help from the fellow there but for the most part he operated it on his own.

There was also a crane and the kids were holding onto the hook and getting lifted up a bit. Gavin thought it was fun and I was surprised he even tried it. When the woman asked him if he wanted to go up again he said no and skittered off to the side.

The event wasn’t really Abby’s scene. She just lounged in the stroller the whole time.

“I’m four today!”

After the trucks it was time to visit the dinos!

Throughout the exhibit there were gaming stations where people would play a dinosaur game. Every dino in the game was controlled by someone playing in the room with you. Gavin and I played and Brandon and Abby played too.

Later in the day it was present time. Gavin had lots of fun gifts to open. This dragon castle was his favorite! He was so excited when he opened it.

Abby opened a few things for her too.

She was just as happy playing with brother and his new toys.

Gavin wanted House of Japan for his birthday dinner.

The staff sang a birthday song to Gavin and brought him a pineapple with a sparkler in it.

Since Gavin was getting birthday cake at his birthday party, we decided to pick up ice cream for his birthday instead.

Gavin’s birthday party was the Saturday after his birthday. We surprised him by renting a bounce house. He was excited that he flipped the switch to turn it on.

Note the ominous sky in the background here. Not exactly what one hopes for when having a barbeque and bounce house birthday party.

Gavin went in to play right after the house was up. We knew rain was coming and wanted to make sure he’d played at least a few minutes before we retreated indoors.

And then it poured. It rained harder than it’s rained in a long time. That’s saying something considering it’s rained the better part of four months. We had to shut down the bounce house because the storm was so bad. The rain started the heaviest downpours right when guests were arriving. I had to grab towels so that people could dry themselves off as they came in the door. The floor was soaked and Gavin was running around barefoot which led to him slipping and falling at least two to three times.

So what do you do when it pours rain? Eat!

Gavin and his friends played inside with toys.

Eventually the rain let up and Brandon and I went out to re-inflate the bounce house. There was so much water we had to get the water off of it before the roof would pop up. Then we ended up in the bounce house with beach towels trying to dry it off the best we could.

The inside was pretty much a mix between a slip and slide and a bounce house. The kids loved it. They’d jump and slip and fall when they landed back on the floor.

Everyone came back in for cake. I believe someone’s finger here has some red icing on it after he stuck his finger into the cake.

Gavin did not like the singing apparently.

Gavin was thrilled to finally get to his presents!

He received so many gifts that it prompted what I call “the great toy rotation of 2011.” All of the toddler toys left his room and went to Abby’s room. All of the baby toys left Abby’s room and went to a tub in the basement. Most of the toys that Gavin had accumulated between birthday and Christmas last year went up to his room. All the new stuff stayed downstairs for him to play with. We also had to get ANOTHER toy box for Abby’s toys so that her stuff wasn’t hanging around in random piles all over the house.

What a lucky big guy!

Even though it poured rain, Gavin had a great Cars party.

Abby received some gifts too!

This cutie patootie had fun hanging out with her great grandparents for a bit!

By the time the gifts were opened and everyone had left, the rain had completely stopped and the bounce house was dry. Abby had much more fun and was willing to run around after the floor dried out.

We tried desperately for a family photo but Little Miss was not interested in cooperating.

We had a great celebration with Gavin for his big fourth birthday! We were so glad that Aunt Ashley and Grandpa Yankanin were able to come in from NC and NY and that those who made it from Cincy were able to do so.

Thank you to everyone who came to the party, for all the kid’s great gifts, and to all those who couldn’t make it and sent gifts anyway! I have written the thank you notes but I’d like to get Gavin to try and write his name to sign them. We’ll see how it goes and unfortunately it may delay the sending out of the notes longer than they’ve already been delayed.

Have a great Fourth everyone!