Shamus turns 4!!!

Our little man is growing up fast! Yes Shamus is now the big 04. Fittingly, in the weeks leading up to his birthday Shamus seemed to be going through a growth spurt. He seemed to be hungry all the time. I can't imagine what our grocery bill will be like when he is 16...yikes!

We had Shamus' presents wrapped a couple of days early and man did it kill him to have to wait to open them.

Shamus is growing into a great "big brother". He was very concerned that Breagha have something to open so he shared his presents with her.  Of course after the wrapping paper came off the sharing was not as abundant.   It's the thought that counts right?

We had to do the presents before the cake.  I don't think Shamus even ate any of his cake.  He was too engrossed in his new toys.  Pour thing... he had to wait a whole month since Xmas before getting new toys.  

Daddy and Shamus hard at work assembling Shamus' "Marble Racetrack" ... as he calls it.

And here is the ultimate gift.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  He thought it was great because he could take them to daycare to share with Bahvia, Joshua and Elija.  

Roma St. Parklands

I wanted to also post a few pics from a day trip we did to Roma St. Parklands.  I think we may have posted some pictures from this park in a previous post but it is such a beautiful park it warrants another look. 

The family all gathered around for a little snap

They love looking at the ducks.

This is a really interesting tree that grows throughout Queensland.  I call it the "penis tree".

This is why!

Now that's just damn cute.  This pic really shows how Shamus has shot up in height.

Here is a very common spider that is all over Brisbane.  They usually build their nests up high.  They never cause problems ... in fact I have never seen one that was not on it's web.  This guy would be a little larger than the size of my palm. 

How can you not love that face!

As I mentioned earlier, Shamus is really becoming a great big brother to Breagha.  He is quite protective of her and really looks out for her now that they are in the same center at daycare.  It makes Stace and I feel really good to see him care for B like that.  The other night I saw just how protective he can be.  

Now in case you don't know, one of Shamus' favorite movies is "Kung Fu Panda".  Most viewings of the a fore mentioned film are followed by a strict training session involving punching pillows, kicking cushions and live sparring sessions with Dad or Mom.  

The other night Breagha was giving Sas and I some grief about going to bed.  She wouldn't climb into her bed and go to sleep so Stacey and I left the room without giving her "goodnight hugs and kisses". We told her we would return when she was ready to listen and go to bed.  Well, Shamus didn't like this much and thought that we were being unfair.  So upon our return Shamus told us  " Don't do that to Breagha." then he looked me dead in the eyes and with a pointed finger said "I'll Kung Fu you Dad!".  And he was serious.  I was being called out buy a 4 year old and I'd better heed his warning because, let me tell you, he wasn't bluffing.