http://www.keyeswindingroad.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-sweet-baby-boy.html to what I posted five years ago. It seems so long ago, but yet the emotions still seem like just yesterday. Each year I think it will sting a bit less, but it doesn't. I'm accepting that though (finally!) and embracing it for what it is. That perspective makes me appreciate each milestone, birthday, and celebration that much more, and his 5th birthday definitely felt like a special one.
I love how this same sweet nose-wrinkling smile has stayed with him!
I've tried to keep a tradition of conducting a "Birthday Interview" beginning at the 3rd birthday. Here were MJ's answers this year:
Up until this point, MJ hadn't had a "friend birthday party" before. He had a big bash for his 1st birthday, which he obviously doesn't remember, but after that it had just been Mat and I, and then Charlotte spending the day with him and doing something special. Last year, he began getting invited to a couple birthday parties for friends, and he quickly realized the he wanted to have a party all of his own. I think he began asking for a Jumpin' Janes party about 11 months ago! Who were we to say no? Ha! We were super excited to celebrate this special birthday with MJ, and we'd been looking forward to his party for quite some time. I kept trying to convince him of other cheaper options, like our house (haha!!), but he was set on Jumpin' Janes, and so Jumpin' Janes it was.
My mom was due for a visit soon, so she decided to come during this time so she could celebrate his birthday with him as well. Then, pretty last minute, Uncle Jeff decided to fly in for the weekend, and then my dad decided to come along too. So, unexpectedly, we were able to share this birthday with GiGi, PopPop, and Uncle Jeff, which turned out to be quite a treat and made for one very well loved-on birthday boy!
Jeff got some one on one time with Cooper while Charlotte was napping and I went to pick up MJ from preschool on Friday.
On Saturday, MJ opened some birthday cards he'd received in the mail including one from his Mema and Papa as well as Great Gma and Gpa Keyes. Both were so generous to send him some moolah, so we took MJ to a local toy store to put his money to use. Uncle Jeff also picked out a present for him while there. MJ was MORE than happy to have Uncle Jeff play all his new toys with him. In his eyes, I think Uncle Jeff is just his personal playmate. I always feel like poor Jeff must be exhausted after his visits with us!
The next morning, March 9th, MJ began his birthday with some Dunkin' Donuts. He got to pick anything he wanted for breakfast, and a sprinkle donut was what the boy ordered. 5 candles to blow out this year!
We then all got ready for MJ's party, which began at 11. The family stopped and picked up the cake and balloons for us, while we loaded up the kiddos and made our way to Jumpin' Janes. MJ chose to have a dinosaur themed party. I thought for sure he'd choose Cars or Thomas, but he was all about the dinos. MJ's friends began arriving shortly and the party was underway with lots of running and jumping in all the inflatables. (Sweet side note: we brought MJ to this place for his first time ever on the day he turned 2 years old).
Playing and climbing with his good friend Kiley
Gigi and PopPop were great at helping with Cooper and Charlotte
A little intimidated by all the big kids, surprisingly, but she held her own fairly well
Cooper spent much of his time in the Ergo and napping on mommy
Uncle Jeff was a great help, too!
After some bouncing time, it was time for pizza, cake, and presents!
MJ's friends were so generous in spoiling him with gifts! He spent the entire next week just playing with all of his new toys. I really didn't expect everyone to bring presents. I know it can get ridiculously expensive going to friend's parties, but MJ really did seem to appreciate all the goodies, and went around hugging his friends saying "thank you".
Before the party time (11AM-1PM) was even over, MJ was asking if we could go home yet. He was TIRED. He still had more fun to come at home, even...
My exhausted little five year old!
After presents, I made MJ his requested birthday dinner of quesadillas. While I was cooking though, this was going on...
Unfortunately, Charlotte had been battling an illness that weekend. On Saturday, she had a high fever, but by Sunday morning she seemed to have bounced back and was acting her happy little self. After the party though, it was obvious she was not feeling well though. Her fever spiked again, she would only let Gigi hold her (where she fell asleep) and then began screaming and crying and saying her ears hurt. We felt so bad for her that we decided it was worth going to the Convenient Care rather than trying to hold until Monday morning. Mat took her in, while I fed Cooper, and the rest of the family played with MJ. You know you're pretty special when everyone carries on trying to keep your day spectacular up until the very end!
Despite Charlotte's double ear infection, and everyone being a bit overtired by the end of the weekend, it truly was a wonderful birthday for our sweet MJ! I am so excited to see what the year ahead has in store for this five year old!
1 comment:
What a great post & how adorable about the questions you ask him each year! I'll have to do that too! xxo, Mindy
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