Brantley Turns 4!

Happy 4th birthday to this big dude, my firstborn, and the one who made me a mama.  The past four years have been nothing short of incredible and I have enjoyed {almost} every minute of watching you grow into the inquisitive, athletic, smart, and sweet little man (big kid, as you say) you are today!  You are a people pleaser and you can be the sweetest big brother there is (you can also be a turd of a brother but that's for another day).  You constantly make us laugh, surprise us with the things you say ("Oh sh*t," for example), and put a smile on our faces every single day of our lives.

 

Since he begged us to open presents for nearly 24 hours, we let him do it first thing this morning.

Don't Spill the Beans was one of Daddy's favorite childhood games and he insisted we get it for Brantley!

I finally splurged and got him the Royals jersey I've wanted to get him for nearly four years now.  I mean, it's way easier buying expensive things when you know they'll be handed down two more times!  We also upgraded his toddler baseball caps to kid versions!!!!  How do I already have a child with a big kid-sized head?!

Presents were immediately followed with a breakfast of donuts!  I mean, never mind we just had them on the 4th, everyone deserves donuts on their birthday, right!?  #PregnantMommyDidntArgue ;)

And, of course, since it's a Wednesday/daycare day, I sent birthday treats to daycare.  Cookies & cream ice cream cone cupcakes.  I can assure you they are as delicious as they sound.  Recipe here (except I added water to the cake mix, per the box recipe, to make 24 total cupcakes).

Since Gramma and Papa were in town over the weekend, Brantley got to celebrate for a couple of days this year...and got to open presents early, which is the only part that mattered to him.  Kidding, of course (kind of), he adores his Gramma and Papa and loved that they came to visit for the weekend.  Too bad it was cool, rainy, and gloomy all weekend. :(

And like with Holden's birthday earlier this year, I decided to forego a birthday party and I last-minute picked up an $8 cake + candle from Walmart.  It's so much less stressful and clearly, this 4-year old didn't care one bit!  There will be plenty of time for parties over the next 14 years!

And I can't even begin to pick favorites, but here are a few of the thousands of photos from Brantley's first four years of life.  Happy birthday, buddy!  Thank you for being YOU, Brantley Carter, and I hope this next year is your best year yet!

P.S. - I'll be back tomorrow with a recap of our 4th!