When will I turn four? Am I four now? now? now?

Milosh went to one of his closest friend's birthday parties - and loved it of course - and then right out of the party he said he is 4 also. He could not bear the idea of being that different from his buddy. He said he needs a party (so he will be officially 4) - and of course waiting for a few weeks for the birthday was not an option. With an imminent break-down, my creative mind came up with the idea of asking him to look for his birthday party. We kept driving - and he kept looking for his birthday party so he could turn 4 ;) We didn't find the birthday party but we did reach home safely!

The few weeks till his birthday he would tell everybody that he is already 4. But hearts of his heart he knew he was bluffing. I had kept the Curious George book of birthday surprise by the bedside through these weeks to build the excitement of his birthday.

Then came his real birthday, he woke up much earlier than usual and I kept mum so he would sleep for another hour. The next thing I knew he was singing happy birthday to Milosh :) We cut some cake at home and then went to school. Cake cutting at home

Now was the most special part of the day. Milosh had diligently checked if we had the pictures and the snacks - he made sure we were ready. There is a cute little ceremony that happens in his school. All kids sit in a circle, the birthday boy wears a crown, holds the earth and walks around the sun - sharing pictures of all his earlier years. All the kids sing cute songs - 52 weeks, 365 days in a year etc. Then the birthday boy gives a treat to everyone, takes the first bite; and the teacher says - Bon Appetit, you may eat! Milosh was glowing with all the attention and his parents sitting and watching him with his class friends! Check out the video below. He has probably done this for so many kids in school - this was the idea of turning 4 - a mandatory ritual. He came to me - and said - now I am 4! Now he really knew he was 4.

Birthday Circle in school

He would tell everyone with his little fingers how old he is - and he seems so proud of it! The next evening we had a party in a beautiful outdoor park like last year. Milosh was curious how old he turns now with this party (considering he was already 4 the day before) - clearly every party is turning him older to a new number :) We loved having our friends over to a park, eating pizza and cake (all of this is the standard menu for birthday parties in America - and since everyone does this - this has become synonymous with birthday food) We got a clown entertainer this year. She must have done a good job - because the kids were happy; and we even had a little party crasher - there were 4 parties in the park that day - and this little girl just came over to hang out with our party :) Given Milosh's craze about cars - the decoration, the plates and cake was of the theme racing cars. He was dressed in a lightning mcqueen shirt and boots (and even underwear ;))

After the games, and the magic show and the cake - kids went to play in the play area. Milosh looks so happy with his buddies - he could not be any happier! Birthday Party pictures

When his best friend started going home, he ran after him all the way to the car - thats the one person to whom he wanted to give a return gift (everything else is managed by mommy and daddy) I was telling his mom that these kids are ready for a sleep over :)

He was tired beyond words. No nap before the party; and massive excitement during the party! I don't think is physically possible to be more excited. He slept in the car in just a few minutes. That gave mommy and daddy time to "manage" the gifts ;)

The next day when I went to pick him up from school, he was disappointed and said I turned 3 again. I said oh no, what happened. He said this room where you are picking me up from is a room for 3 year olds! Thankfully we took the help of a teacher and she made all kids of ages 4,5 and 6 raise their hands. Milosh was then assured that he is indeed 4! This being 4 is just like a balloon - it keeps bouncing back and forth, always at a risk of bursting, but SO MUCH FUN!