Lena is FOUR!

And then she was four. Just like the hand-me-down shirt her aunt made says, Lena is definitely "fierce and four."

Yay, birthday!!!!

Lena continues to be very much her own person and has added a new role this year: big sister. She is thrilled to be the only one who gets to be a big sister AND a little sister, which--as a middle child myself--I think is an excellent way of looking at things. She dotes on Baby Brother and desperately tries to keep up with Big Sis, all the while cementing her very special place in our family.

Besides the obvious change of gaining a sibling, things have remained pretty much the same in Lena's universe. She continues to attend preschool three days a week and ballet on Saturday mornings. She had also been tagging along to my adult education and Stroller Strides exercise classes until Erik's arrival. I cherish all the one-on-one time we've gotten to have while Elsa is at school, which we still enjoy even now when Erik naps at home or on-the-go.

Equally wonderful is the way she plays with both of her siblings. Despite being a bit of a bruiser, Lena is very caring and gives the best hugs. If you haven't been on the receiving end of one of these, just wait...Lena is very generous with her affection. At three and now at four, nearly all of her emotions are big, but the joy and laughter--Lena is quite funny--are usually worth suffering through any anger and tears.

One of those events causing great joy was of course her birthday. Lena, with Elsa's help, created a calendar in the kitchen to help her count down the days. What was especially exciting this year is that one of her teachers is her "birthday twin," so there was a double-celebration at school.

January 19th fell on a Sunday this year, so both girls helped me make the requested fairy cake the day prior. By help, I mean lick the beaters, but that's still an important part of cake baking. We went out to dinner that night for burgers and fries, and Lena even got a special milkshake even though her birthday wasn't until the next day.

Elsa was so excited to be a birthday helper that she woke up early so she could present Lena with her gift: a hand-drawn computer. Lena was equally excited and played with it until the requisite birthday breakfast of scrambled eggs. We attended our Lutheran church that day, where Lena was serenaded after the service, and then it was time to prepare for her party.

As usual, it was a simple affair at the house. We served "Sunday Snacks" (essentially a kid charcuterie complete with popcorn) and the kids ran around and had a blast. The day was cool, but the sun was out, so after a boisterous rendition of "Happy Birthday," nearly everyone went to the park. I stayed home with a sleeping Erik, which I honestly didn't mind too much because then I was able to watch the Chiefs win the AFC Championship. Go Chiefs!

So photogenic

After the festivities wound down, the sheep appeared for a photo shoot. Then the birthday girl finally got to open her presents from family--thank you for all the gifts, cards, and calls! Lena finished her day with a continuation of Sunday Snacks and a movie. Thank goodness the next day was a holiday because we all needed some extra sleep that night.

Happy Birthday, Lena! We hope your day was as special as you are!