Because another kid had claimed the closest school day as their day to bring a birthday treat, Jack brought his treat to preschool 3 days early. What did he want to share with the class? Tomatoes and doughnut holes. I wasn't able to be there, which was really sad for me. (It was the first time one of my kids could bring a birthday treat to school, since Cat has a summer birthday.) Jack loved bringing the treats to share, and everyone was excited about the doughnut holes. Jack's teacher said there was even a child who wanted some tomatoes.
The next day, Saturday, we had our family birthday party. He wanted a Thomas birthday (except for the Cars napkins he picked out). We celebrated early as a family because Ben left Sunday morning to go out of town for a few days. It was a fun little party, complete with wonderful gifts from loved ones.
On Sunday, the day before his birthday, the Primary kids sang to him and he loved it. He also received a cool "I Am a Child of God" bottle cap necklace as a birthday gift. (In case you're wondering, no, I didn't bring all of the kids to Church myself with a 12-day-old baby. Our home teacher kindly agreed to take the big kids so I could stay home with Luke.)
Then, on his actual birthday, I tried to do a few small things to make it special. I didn't do a lot, since I had such a little baby and Ben was out of town, but I managed a couple of things. I made number pancakes for breakfast. Jack got a 5, so of course the girls needed numbers for their ages too.
This is how Jack dressed himself for the day. Backwards polo shirt, both legs in one side of a pair of soccer shorts. I helped him get straightened out before we left the house.
In lieu of an actual party, we asked some friends to meet us at our neighborhood park for a playdate, and they were all able to come! We all just ate lunch together and the kids played for a little while, then we shared cupcakes, and Jack was surprised with some gifts too. It was a fun morning, all the more special because we knew we would all be parting ways in the coming weeks.
A friend brought dinner to us that night. When she asked me what Jack wanted for his birthday dinner, I asked Jack and he said, "cupcakes, ice cream, and French fries." He got two out of the three - our friend brought over hot dogs and fries for dinner, and I still had a few cupcakes left, so we ate them for dessert. I let the kids decorate them themselves. Sprinkles, anyone?
Then we blew up some balloons and the kids ran around playing with them for a while before bed. Luke didn't participate in the balloon play, but Eliza made sure he felt included.
Birthday Love!
It's been a treat to see Jack grow and mature over the last year, partly because of his age, but I think also largely because of loving and patient Primary teachers, and a truly wonderful experience at preschool. I've written before about how Jack has become more curious, more observant, and more confident since going to preschool. It's been amazing.
Jack is such a special kid and he continues to capture more and more of my heart. He is amiable, funny, spunky, and the most cuddly of my three big kids. (In an effort to represent him fairly, I'll say that he is also the most clumsy, the most ants-in-my-pantsy, and the most absent-minded of the three big kids.)
Jack blesses my life daily. I'm so glad that Jack is who he is, and that he's part of our family.
I hope you had a great birthday, Big Guy!
Thank you, thank you for the love you have for your kids. Jack is very special to our hearts as are the girls, and we are so grateful for their wonderful parents.
ReplyDeleteI miss them so much!!!!!!!!!!!! That last picture is amazing. Can I get a copy? :D
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