Marshall is 4

This little cutie turned FOUR!!!!!!  Although he is still a little small in size...his heart and smile are HUGE!!!!

He is really into legos these days...both big legos and small legos (if Brayden is building with him).  This creation "Disney World", he was SUPER proud of!

Even though we don't have cable, Marshall LOVES Paw Patrol...back in our days of cable he watched it...but now he settles for episodes via DVD or iPad...so his request this year was a Paw Patrol party.  His guest list consisted of mostly ladies...and a few boys...so we had over his closest friends and had a puppy good time.  Here is the cake I made him....let's not focus on the amount of sugar I fed the children :)

Here are the 10 kiddos...we had only kids over for the party, since they were all good family friends and neighbors...we gave the parents 2 hours of freedom and beer after :)  The kids ate some yummy puppy food---pup dogs, doggy treats, even toilet water

Then we played a little game of Puppy Puppy Where's My Bone

It was a pretty fun little game--they all got into it

We pinned the badge on Marshall....see Marshall peeking....he insisted on going first as well as looking while he pinned the badge in the perfect spot---maybe we can try this one again next year since he missed the point....

We read a Paw Patrol birthday story

And made our own Marshall dogs...

They turned out Super cute!

And then finally the moment they were all waiting for...we dug into that huge sugar pile cake!

Silence swept through the room as they devoured it

And then Mr. Marshall was showered with birthday love

What a great party!!!!

Marshall got lucky and we had special visitors for his birthday....Grandma Ann, Great Paw Paw and Auntie Beans

Miss Haddie LOVED all the reading Great Paw Paw did for her...

And even though they both got sick both before and after this picture, they sure were spoiled with birthday love....and loved every bit of it!

Such a joy to be able to celebrate Marshall surrounded by family!

As I mentioned above, the boys got sick....so sadly on Monday morning, Marshall's actual birthday we was WAY under the weather....luckily it was short lived and we ended Monday at the pumpkin patch so we could celebrate him!

By Wednesday we were completely healthy and so it was time for those cinnamon rolls!!!

HaPpY BirTHdAy MaRsHaLL!!!!

Dear Marshall,

Where oh where to begin....you are just the sweetest little boy.  Your picture right above shows how you radiate joy and love through your eyes and smile.  You came into the world like a lion (boy oh boy, were you a hard little baby to tame) but now you are my sweet little lamb (don't get me wrong, you still have your moments....but they are few and far between).   

You are filled with so much happiness and love---truly you are such a joy.  When you talk, your emotions come out in full force....you use both your hands and facial expressions to be sure that you get the whole point across.  You have such a sweet nature about you---no matter how hard Haddie pulls your hair or wrecks and demolishes every lego structure that you build...you may get angry but not be quick to react....you have never gotten physical with her even when she has pushed every button she can.

You remind me so much of your Aunt Beans....even though you are the little brother (as she was the little sister) you are the brave one to go into another room and turn on a light, when Brayden is too scared.  And very often we will hear Brayden come down into your bed for a little extra snuggle.  You will try new things and play with others without hesitation and encourage Brayden to do the same.  When someone needs something, very often you are the first to offer to get it or help....that is so what your Aunt did and still does.....and both of you may be small in size...but both of you have a huge heart!

You are the best little snuggler...and although some days you really do need to nap---so I encourage (or force) you upstairs to nap, on those other days when you refuse to, I don't really mind because I like having you take a rest and snuggle by me instead...and sometimes you even ask to watch the Chew....that is so awesome that you like cooking shows Marshall....I seriously could snuggle and watch cooking shows with you all day.  And while I am talking about cooking...you LOVE helping me cook.  You are the best little baker and helper in the kitchen and I LOVE it!!!!  You love measuring and learning in the kitchen and of course tasting :)  You are a great eater...when asked what your favorite foods are...you will say chicken and broccoli...and boy you aren't kidding...you LOVE chicken..even tonight as we were filling out our first thankful feather, you said "I am THANKFUL for CHICKEN"   :)   Oh Marshall!

You love school....you did not even get a little nervous that first day when I took you to a new school...you of course gave Haddie and I 10 kisses and hugs a piece...but that is just your loving personality.  So many kids are just drawn to you because of your sweet personality and willingness to share and play and have fun.  No matter what the age of the kids....you instantly warm up and can make friends with anyone.  However, you don't need to play with anyone....as happy as you are to play with others, you can easily play and entertain yourself too...you have a great imagination.

You love to draw....and are getting GOOD at drawing garbage trucks and diggers....you still are obsessed with watching the garbage and recycling trucks...and as we drive down the road, you remind me whose garbage day it is.  And if we see a truck, well then we need to pull over and watch it in action....because we sure cannot miss the action!

You are still in martial arts....and are very proud of all your stripes...you like all the running and kicking and punching....I am not sure what other sport/hobby you would like to try---I am thinking maybe gymnastics or soccer....but we shall see--you are kind of a wild card in that area of life.  You love reading books and trying to write your name and practicing sight words----whatever Brayden is learning to do, you are right there ready to keep up!  Just recently you have really started enjoying little legos....and on a recent trip to Legoland you followed the Lego teacher's directions all on your own and built a fish.  You also just built a few of your own lego sets all on your own!

While I have soooooo much that I could say about your love and joy----when your temper comes out----WATCH out!!!  One night you actually threw a WHOLE cup of water in your daddy's face----while I had to turn away so you did not see me laugh.....you have a little fire burning in there and I am praying that it stays at bay as you get older...because that little temper is something fierce!

Marshall I thank God every day for letting me be your mommy!  You are our little sunshine....truly you are that little ray of light....and that white blonde hair is an outward sign of the light that you shine on everyone you come in contact with.  I pray that you continue to be the sweet little boy that you are....and I pray that God helps us as you age and you sweet talk all those girls....because we are going to have our work cut out for us!!!!  I love you Marshy!!!!!  Love, Mom