The Boy Turns Four

Benjamin Mark Watson is officially four.  He has been restlessly waiting to add that extra finger to the tally he holds up whenever anyone asks his age. 

Friday morning he awoke to treasures from near and far — this kid is lucky to have so many people who love and spoil him.  We surprised him with a bike, he officially became a man in pursuit of Legos, his Wii game collection doubled (from 2 to 4), his reign as best dressed boy at church will continue and his rock star status skyrocketed with a toy electric guitar.  Funny Ben, when he first came upon the birthday bounty in the living room he zeroed in on his new Cat in the Hat book and held it for a couple minutes saying over and over, “I have my own Cat in the Hat book,” before he really saw all the other presents around him. 

We went out to dinner at the club with some close friends Friday night.  We discovered that Clara the carnivore would be happy to eat her weight in baby back ribs and that no drop of ice cream must be left behind in the bowl, even if that means a face first dive to lick and slurp.  Ben loved wearing his birthday crown (a Casa Watson tradition) and pretty much got away with eating only French fries and ice cream for dinner — hey, it was his birthday.

Saturday was party day with a police theme.  Last week we delivered an invite to the station (along with a batch of peanut butter cookies) and they sent over two officers, a goody bag of police loot for Ben and let the kids pile into the backseat of the squad car.  Thankfully, the day brought blue skies and sunshine, with over a dozen kids celebrating Ben’s big day.  We managed to make it through the party with minimal meltdowns, cheerful cupcake consumption and proficient piñata pounding.  Ben said his favorite decoration at the party was the dog with the crown.  Clara was most excited to wear the whistle and Ben’s hand me down police hat (he said he was “too old” for it now). 

These festivities happened during a busy few days of pastoral responsibilities for Mark, he gracefully gave both his family and his parishioners his whole heart.  As the weekend comes to a close, we are all exhausted but ever thankful, knowing that each year we have together is a gift, to be celebrated and cherished…and that at least once a year, we all deserve to wear a crown.