John Paul is 4!

Look at our big 4-year-old!!

This big kid is a lover of vehicles, Pixar movie soundtracks, model train videos, and family.

If he gets your attention, he'll chat your ear off; he especially likes telling stories about the most random details of the happenings in his life. Example: "They're knocking down the Chick-fil-A and building a new one and that's so sad!" Followed by a play-by-play of how it's being knocked down and what it will be like to go to the new one. Little chatter box!

Speaking of CFA, one of his favorite foods is their nuggets, and also pickle cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, pizza, and tofu pho.

His siblings are his favorite people. Jude is his built-in playmate and a few months ago they became roommates! While Jude is his play bud, Marigold is simply the target of all his kisses and hugs. She (mostly) doesn't seem to mind.

His favorite toys are the ones that involve building: magnatiles, duplos, wooden blocks, and Thomas train tracks. It's always fun to see what he comes up with, and to watch his mind at work. He especially loves using his resources to solve problems, or looking at something and figuring out how it works. It's very possible he'll be an engineer someday.

John Paul's language is just insane. I know I said that when he turned 1, but gosh is it even more bonkers awesome at 4. He says things like, "I assume Jude is done eating his lunch." Or "Mommy, actually, I don't think it's going to rain today because the sky isn't gray!" He cracks me up with how many times a day he says "actually," actually. I wonder where he got it from. :P

He has a huge heart with lots of feelings, so he loves real big and he feels real big too. It's a joy to watch his personality blossom, and I'm looking forward to seeing even more of it as he gets bigger.

To celebrate turning 4, we hosted a birthday party at the local train museum. We decided to out-source the party since I wasn't ready to throw a birthday bash with a 1.5-month-old at home. And that was the best decision ever since they did all the set up and clean up and the birthday boy loved all the train stuff.  

My parents came into town to meet Miss Marigold and celebrate John Paul's birthday with us. Awesome double whammy!

For lunch, we ordered two massive pizzas!

The birthday boy requested cookie cake for dessert. Yum!

Happy birthday, John Paul Fulton! We're so glad God chose us to be your family. We hope you enjoy every bit of being 4! So happy to be on this adventure with you!