Things to Remember: Eli at 4

Height: 42"
Weight: 41 lbs
Favorite food: Spaghetti with Meatballs
Favorite Movie: Trolls
Favorite Song: Can't Stop the Feeling (Justin Timberlake) On repeat. And repeat.  And repeat.
Favorite Phrase: Suns out guns out! (complete with flexing pose)
Favorite Book: Anything Gerald and Piggie or Oliver Jeffers
Favorite Superhero: Batman, or possibly Robin (thanks Lego Batman Movie!)
Greatest Fear: Being alone in his room

Oh this kid.  We love him.  Eli is starting to piece together his world and the rules that govern it.  Currently he is fascinated by signs.  We'll be driving in the car and he'll suddenly screech, "MOM!  STOP SIGN FACING THIS DIRECTION!  YOU'D BETTER STOOOOOOOPPPPP!!!"  I'm used to it now, but the first few times I nearly had a heart attack.  He's the expert on No U-Turn signs ("Circle with a LINE Mom!") and Pedestrian Crosswalk.  It certainly makes driving interesting.

One of Eli's life rules is that anything that Dad does is cool.  He loves "playing" Zach's games with him, wrestling, and of course, eating.

Eli and Porter are constantly trying to figure out their relationship.  Are they best friends?  Are they worst enemies?  Sometimes Eli is totally cool with letting Porter ride on his back, other times he's near death if Porter so much as looks at him the wrong way.

On the whole they get along, and when they REALLY get along it melt my heart.

Zach and I (as parents are wont to do) are amazed by Eli's creativity.  He is big into drawing something, cutting it out, and then taping it to something else.  Our kitchen is basically wallpapered in his artwork.

"Be happy like Robin!  -Eli"

Now that he's four, Eli has been enjoying regular dates with Mom and/or Dad.  He's super easy to entertain.  We spent half an hour in an arcade last month without having to spend a dime, but Eli still managed to shoot all the bad guys and win all the races.

I feel like our first, experimental child is turning out rather well!

Trolls in Excess

Eli told everyone that he knew, anyone he might know, and anyone that happened to cross his path, that he was going to have a Trolls birthday party.  He picked out a Trolls cake, Trolls invitations, Trolls party favors, and would have required everyone wear Trolls costumes, but we had to draw the line somewhere.  He is, without a doubt, obsessed with Trolls.

Zach and I, however, are pretty over this Trolls phase.  Can't Stop the Feeling is a great song and all, but after 1,000 times.... the feeling is gone.  We decided we'd do this birthday party, and then try and wean Eli steadily off.

Trolls cake!

Trolls Bingo!

Trolls pinata!

It would seem our family had other ideas.  Eli received no less than two sets of Trolls figurines for his birthday, plus cake toppers, meaning we have 4 Poppys, 3 Branches, and a dozen other trolls floating around our house at all times.  He also received the Trolls movie, so guess how many times we've watched that this last month?

I love this picture of the boys lined up watching the movie!  We love our cousins.

Eli's actual birthday was on a Sunday, and after church we asked Eli what he wanted to do.  He said see a waterfall, so that was what we did.  In the cold rain.  In heels.  Anything for my birthday boy!

Zach and I decided that this was the year of the bike (NOT a Trolls bike, as was requested).  We had it all set up with the balloons then blindfolded Eli to take him to it.  His reaction was soooooo anticlimactic.  He was obviously less than thrilled.
But!  Once we got him on it he would NOT GET OFF.  We went around the cul-de-sac over and over despite the rain.  Houston, we have a winner.

Eli and McKenna share a birthday weekend, so we had a second Magleby family party for them.  It was Troll/fairy princess themed, which worked out better than one would think.

The birthday kiddos

Overall, the weekend was a Troll-saturated, techni-color success.  Thanks to our wonderful family for hosting and partying with us!

Special thanks to my Dad for recommending, assembling and adjusting Eli's bike.  Even more special thanks to all the family who gave us Trolls paraphernalia- you know who you are!  We can't won't forget it!