Four Years Old!

This boy turned four years old last week!

Kai had been asking for months (basically since Caleb's birthday back in May) if it was his birthday soon.  He was VERY excited when the day finally arrived last Tuesday.  He woke me up in the morning and said, "Mom, I'm four years old and I get to go to preschool!  And what's the color of the week?"  I had to smile :)  He was holding his tye-die shirt in his hand, and when I told him the color of the week was green he exploded with excitement: "There's green on this shirt!!!"  And he ran off delighted to have picked out a shirt that matched the color of the week for preschool :)

That afternoon he opened his present from us and got right to work.  Our 4-year old continues his obsession with all things digging and dirt and construction, so combining that passion with play-dough has proven to be quite a hit.  This brick-making machine (which I shockingly found in Nairobi) was the perfect present.  It entertained all of the boys all afternoon.

A couple days after his birthday we had a small party with all the preschool and Kindergarten boys.  We had originally planned a "dig in the dirt" party in our sandbox, but there's been a lot of rain lately and we decided against sending everyone home covered in mud.  Instead, we busted out a bag of Duplos that Grandma and Grandpa Horn gave to Kai, which offered wonderful entertainment.

And then it was time for cake!  I had thought far ahead and planned to make dirt cake, which requires vanilla and chocolate pudding packets (which cannot be found in Kenya) and so I arranged to have them brought over when some visitors came.  I even had gummy worms sent over the ocean!  But, after seeing Asa's tractor cake last month, Kai was adamant about having a cake "just like Asa's" but with a dump truck and a digger instead.  I tried several times to convince him that having a dirt cake would be so much fun, but he would not budge.  He was tantalized by Asa's cake, and so I resolved to make one "just like Asa's" and so make our birthday boy happy.  I spent awhile on this cake.  Thankfully Kai was very happy with it.  (And thanks to my sister for finding those perfect dump truck candles and sending them over!)  We still have the ingredients for a dirt cake - maybe that will be a Christmas treat for us this year :)

I can scarcely believe that four years have gone by already since this boy came into the world.  He did not come very willingly - only after three days of induction did he make his debut!  But he has brightened our world and kept us on our toes and increased the joy and number of adventures in our life.  Kai is truly an adventurous spirit, happy to try new things and willing to take risks.  He is never more focused, or more happy, than when he's digging in the dirt.  He knows construction machines like the back of his hand and has made a habit of pointing out whenever a book mis-labels a construction machine picture: "Mom, that's NOT a digger!  It's a backhoe because it has a shovel in the front and a bucket in the back.  And this is NOT a digger either!  It's a front loader.  See the big bucket in front???"  His favorite show is Mighty Machines.  Kai also loves all things Paw Patrol and has recently discovered how much he loves the animal kingdom (because of hearing big brother Caleb go on and on about animals 24/7).  Kai and Caleb regularly have "bug battles" in the living room and debate which is cooler: striped-tailed centipede, giant rainforest crab, desert trapdoor spider, or perhaps the vinegarroon?  He thinks the bathroom is a playroom and drives us nuts with his daily shenanigans in there.  Kai loves to read, loves to do puzzles, and loves to help out in the kitchen.  He loves to climb trees and build forts and disappear in the compound in search of a new dirt pile.  He loves learning about Jesus and reminds us that no one can save us but Him!  His favorite Bible story is David vs Goliath, and he prefers to play the djembe when we worship during Home Church.  Kai has a tender heart and thinks about things that surprise us.  When we ask what he's thankful for at bedtime, every night without fail he says (along with Caleb), "I'm thankful for you, Mom, and I'm gonna be thankful for you forever."  And I cherish those words every time he says them because I know he means them and because I know he won't say that every night for the rest of his life, but the words are true and a reflection of this boy's heart.  Kai makes this world a better place and we are beyond proud to call him our son!

We love you, Kai!