Happy 4th Birthday Ross!

I think my heart officially broke when I realized that Ross really did turn 4.  That he's not going to go backwards in age.  That he will just continue to grow up.  

My Sweet 4 Year Old!

He was extremely excited for his birthday.   The morning of the day, he came in to our room and jumped on the bed telling us, "It's my birthday!  I'm four!" over and over.  We, of course, had to have muffins for breakfast - the ultimate favorite. :)

 

Good Morning!  I'm Four!

Dad's still sleeping

 I asked what kind of birthday he wanted, and he said, "A jet airplane party".  Fantastically, I had all his decorations from the last Planes part he had.  We got double usage out of them and he was completely happy with it!  
 

One excited boy!

He has told me about a thousand things he was wishing for for his birthday, but was also quite satisfied with the presents he got.  Stephen and I gave him a sweet set of bow and arrows for kids - he can even shoot them inside!  He also got a T-ball set, a game, and the Mayday firetruck from the movie Planes Fire & Rescue.  Grandpa and Grandma White gave him a fun Book of Mormon Look and Find book and a New Testament cartoon DVD.  Grandpa and Grandma Staheli gave him some birthday money, a small Dusty airplane, and a fun dock yard for his trainset.  He had enjoyed all of them non-stop!  He requested a jet  airplane birthday cake.  This poor sleep deprived mom drew one on his cake, and, love this little boy - he was pleased as punch. :)
 

Daddy showing how to do the bow and arrow

Painful smiles waiting to open presents - like the birthday wrapping paper????

Daddy got to be home all day for his birthday and so we made birthday muffins for breakfast (of course), went to our fun Romp Around class, and opened presents after lunch.  That night we had his favorite - pizza and crazy bread - for dinner and then opened the birthday presents from Grandpa and Grandma Staheli while they watched on Skype (he was DYING all day to open them).  Overall - he had a fabulous fun time, and we LOVED celebrating him.
 

My airplane attempt.  My frosted handwriting could use some work!  It tasted DELICIOUS though - homemade frosting is the best. :)

Every kid's dream - to blow out their birthday candles every year. ;)

Birthday cake is yum!  Ice cream is better in Ross's book. :)

Some wonderful things about Ross:
He is a peacemaker in our family.  Whenever emotions are running high (especially in the Ruby department) he tries extra hard to be helpful or to be positive, suggesting that we'll try again and maybe it will be better. :)  He is very obedient (even if he doesn't want to do it).  I can't tell you how many bites of delicious dinners I've made he has gagged down (and some maybe thrown back up) because he had to eat at least one bite.  He adores his siblings.  He and Ruby play a lot more together these days and he's always trying to help her - even when she's having meltdowns in her bed (because she has to go to bed) and calmly asks her what she needs.  He's also gotten really good at sleeping through her tantrums!
He loves to wrestle and run around with everyone - especially his dad.  He's very observant and cautious.  New things may be hard to try, but if given time, he warms up to the idea and then embraces it completely.  He is my good eater.  He always eats his fruits and vegetables first before the rest of his meal (though Goldfish would always trump everything if I offered it to him).  

Some of his favorites:
Color: Green (true - when forced to color - he always chooses green)
Toy: Helicopters (Blade Ranger from Planes Fire and Rescue - he has a hoist to hook and carry lots of things)
Fruit: Oranges (also strawberries, bananas, and apples)
Vegetable: Carrots and Pes
TV Show: Octonauts, Curious George, Wild Kratts
Movie: Big Hero 6
Thing to eat for lunch: Tortillas (anytime really - he'll go for a tortilla)
Outfit: His shark shirt Grandpa Stan got in the Bahamas

Being a shark!

Game: .Going fishing (with magnets) - also Hide and Seek
Snack: Goldfish and pretzels
Animal: Giraffes?? (Really sharks and whales)
Song: Life is a Highway (also Slippery Fish)
Book: Mega Machines (also Harold and the Purple Crayon)
Who is your Best Friend: Ruby (melted my heart when he said that!)
Sport: Hide and Seek (didn't know that was a sport? - also Soccer)
Favorite thing to do outside: Swing and play hide and seek (also dig in the dirt or sandbox)
Drink: Water (also lemonade)
Holiday: Halloween and Christmas
What you like to sleep with: Lightning McQueen (blue blanket, monkey, and green alligator)
Favorite thing to eat for breakfast: Eggos (also muffins)
Birthday dinner: Pizza and bread (crazy bread) or Spaghetti
What do you want to be when you grow up: "I want to be Ross Charles White when I be growed up." 
Scripture Story: Abinadi's Story
Scripture Hero: Lehi (really Nephi)
Church Song: The Wise Man and the Foolish Man

We absolutely love our Ross!  Happy Birthday our boy!