Brody Turns 4!!

This year has been the first year that Brody helped plan his birthday party.  He told us he wanted a party and Chuck E Cheese and he informed us on who we should invite.  It was fun to see him get excited about his party and count down the days.  He actually got three parties; which he often reminded you of. One party with Grandma and the Groh family because they were going to miss his Chuck E Cheese party, his Chuck E Cheese party with his friends and his party at school. 

Grandmas party was great!  Brody got to spend the night with the Groh kids and he was showered with gifts, attention and a homemade red cake.  He loved it and his smile in his pictures showed it.  His Chuck E Cheese party turned out to be kind of small.  Most people were traveling for the holidays so they were unable to make it.  The final attendants were Cole, Graham, Knox, Andrea, Brett, Nana, Clark, Holly, Aaron, Jamie and Sydney.  Luckily for us Chuck E Cheese was kind of dead and the kids were able to run all over and had the place to themselves. 

Brody at first was super excited about his school Party but the night before he panicked.  He was so frightened and begged me not to take him to school the next morning.  He said he didn't want to turn 4 and he just wanted to be three.  He cried so hard and was truly frightened.  It really broke our hearts.  Dave and I laid with him that night and tried to calm his fears but neither one of us really could pinpoint why he was so scared.  Luckily he finally fell asleep and slept well all night.  That morning I woke him up before I left so I could wish him Happy Birthday and console him one last time if he still was scared.  Boy that was a mistake.  He immediately started to cry and begged me not to go to work.  He even ran after me outside.  He has NEVER acted this way before, and I was broken hearted to leave him that day.  Once I left him and Sara continued to talk and she told him he was already 4.  Brody apparently ran to the bathroom and was touching and pinching his face.  He kept saying, "It already happened? I'm 4? But I am still Brody! I'm not a daddy yet!"  So I guess this was the source of his anxiety he thought he was going to change into a daddy overnight.  Poor guy!  Sara walked him into school that day to give his teacher Ms. Anne a heads up incase Brody had another meltdown.  Ms. Anne couldn't believe he was scared of turning 4.  Brody ended up having an great time at his school party and told all of his friends that they didn't need to be scared when they turn 4 because nothing happens.  I'm so glad his special day ended up going well for him!