four years old

the birthday boy

supervising mom 

pre-party boredom

fillmore

lightning and friends

guido

luigi

finn

pre-party clean

a hint of the adult tim?

the only thing he asked me for was a blue cake

stance for 'happy birthday' song.  he refused to blow out the candles

finn has yet to be eaten but the ice cream was devoured several times over

jt and addie race cars while luke watches

addie, karsten, tim and jt playing together before the presents are opened

he wanted some help on the first couple of gifts

jt is as excited to have his gift opened as tim is to open it

i think this is when the cap gun was opened

say cheese

captain timmy

shooting cars

shooting more cars

reach for the sky

 I think Tim had a great birthday party, his first party with invited guests instead of just family.  Paul, Luke and I also had a great time.  The guests didn't know one another but became instant play mates thanks to their natures and the bonding nature of toys.  Tim shared his toys happily and the other children indulged the birthday boy just a bit.  The weather was our friend as well and they got to play outside without coats for most of the party.  On Tuesday, his actual birthday, we will open gifts from the family.

first pun

01/01/2012

Tim requested a lollipop and some popcorn this afternoon.  While he was on the loo, he was clearly contemplating these things.

I want a sucker.
I want a lollipopcorn. Ha ha ha ha (cackling away to himself).

We are impressed with his sense of humor.

gingerbread house

tim's first gingerbread house (with mom's help)

I maked it.  I put candy on it.  And frosting.  Gumdrops.

feeding the seagulls

Tim had a great time feeding the seagulls his leftover french fries near Hout Bay.

beach boy

Cape Town is the place to go for a variety of beaches, and we made the best of them in the short amount of time that we had.  Before we left for Cape Town, Tim was a little weary of the beach because he had overheard us talking about the shark attack that happened in Fishhoek, near Cape Town.  As we drove to our first beach, Boulders, he announced that he would not take off his shirt or his boots and socks.  We didn't push it.  Some things just need to run their course.  He took two steps onto the sand and kicked off his boots and would have gone into the water with socks and clothes if I hadn't stopped him.

Boulders was the perfect place to start Tim on his beach adventures because he loves to climb rocks and play in water.  Two penguins joined us on the beach and he chased one about until we managed to calm him down.   After the initial interest, the penguins were forgotten for the joy of water and rock.

Marching through the water was much better than walking.

At Hout Bay, he checked out he wrecked boats and fed seagulls his french fries.

At St. James pool, he walked with Paul on the sea wall and watched the tide come in.

At Blouberg, he chased the waves until he was too tired to stand.  The wind was fierce and the kite surfers numerous.


Cape Town's beaches are perfect for kids who don't want to swim in the ocean. The water is too cold for swimming anyway.  I'm a bit spoiled.  The swimming pools in Colorado are heated and my first beach was in Hawaii where the water is magical.  Despite this, I think growing up with the beach is a very special thing and I'm so glad that he's had the chance to experience this and will get to do it again and again.