Okay, I mistakenly read through Ishu turns one, Ishu turns two, and Ishu turns three. And now I’m typing this up and everything is blurry because I can’t seem to stop the tears from coming.

Where does the time go?

And why?

And HOW DARE IT.

These annual posts are more about how we spent the actual birthday weekend. Because, well, this blog is pretty much a recollection of all the things he has done throughout the year. So, let’s just do a weekend recap to document how we celebrated our now-4-year-old kid.

Friday

We went to the park after school and Ishu spent half the time “teaching” Riyu how to crawl. Big brother got on his hands and knees and inched his way forward, urging Riyu to follow him. And when Riyu did build the motivation to crawl (enticed by Ishu Bhaiya’s scooter), Ishu cheered for him so loud.

He loves being a big brother. So much. So hard.

We ordered Thai food for dinner and Ishu indulged in lots of rice, broccoli, and Singapore noodles. Ankur and Ishu watched a movie while I finished reading this book (surprisingly enjoyed this one, despite it being more ‘fantasy’ than I usually go for!). And early bedtimes for all!

Saturday

On Saturday morning, we ate a quick breakfast and then went out to meet some other volunteers to help clean Lake Shore Park for Earth Day.

Ishu walked the entire track, picking up cigarette butts and plastic candy wrappers and other random trash items, depositing them in his bucket. He found all the teeny tiny trash pieces that other volunteers overlooked. Probs cause he’s so close to the ground. Ha.

And then he grabbed a broom to help spread the mulch around at the playground. He was a real hard worker and seemed to enjoy it so much.

We got home and had two very tired kids. While they napped, we took care of a few things in preparation for Ishu’s big day. We picked up cake, wrapped some presents, cleaned the apartment (as much as we could, knowing full well it’d be torn apart the minute they woke up).

Sunday

Ishu’s actual birthday! The 21st!

He woke up. He pooped. And then he caught sight of his balloons. And so that occupied the first bit of his day. Then special Sunday birthday breakfast.

Peep that dirty kitchen table.

I almost cropped this picture so you didn’t see those stains.

And then I was like, eh. Nah. This is our life. Fingerprints and food on everything.

Then, the family sent a surprise delivery.

Donuts for the birthday boy!

Who proceeded to take a bite out of each one.

After the sugar kicked in, we managed to get out of the house and walk over to the park. He REALLY wanted to play tennis and so we packed up our rackets and off we went.

The Potter fam met us there and surprised Ishu with a gift. Our 1-2 hour park trip ended up turning into an all-day affair because the weather was too good to call it quits.

We transitioned to the playground and hung out in the sand.

And then we got sandwiches and had a spontaneous picnic.

It was exactly the kind of day that makes Ishu (and, truly, all of us!) so happy.

When we left the park, the four of us hurried home so the kids could take a quick bath. And, once everyone was cleaned up, we cut the ice cream cake (Ishu’s one request for his birthday!).

We handed the birthday boy a spoon and he went for it. No plates required.

He was kind enough to share some with his little brother. (It was either that or hear little brother grunt and beg all night long).

He still hasn’t opened up most of the gifts he received for his birthday because he gets so fixated on one thing after he opens it up. So we milk it for as long as we can ’til he asks to open another one. We’re so thankful for our family and friends who really know this kid so well. Every single thing he was given is something he will truly enjoy.

Monday

And I guess yesterday wasn’t technically part of the weekend. But it was another beautiful day outside so the kids spent a ton of time at the park again after school. Ishu went around telling everyone he was 4 and a half. Because that makes sense to him in his head since he already passed the 4-year old mark.

We’re so grateful that this birthday was such a special one for this kid. I’m sure he felt so loved and seen. I canNOT believe I am a mama to a 4-year old. WHAT EVEN IS THIS LIFE?

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND CELEBRATING THIS BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY.

Hope you all are having a happy, sunny week!