4th Birthday

Xander's 4th birthday was a week and a half ago but it was a long time coming. He has been asking for a Nintendo DS since Christmas. We would be in a store and he'd see something he likes and I'd remind him to ask for it for his birthday. He saw Curious George making a pinata and thought we should make one. He wanted to invite his friends from California to his party. He wanted chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream and chocolate pizza at his party.

I don't mean to make it sound like he was demanding, he was just excited for his birthday. Of course some plans were changed around. We went with a fruit pizza instead (thanks, Grandma). He decided on a chocolate and vanilla cake while we were at the store, so I bought a marble cake mix and used the penguin cupcake mold. We totally forgot to serve the chocolate ice cream.

I also let Xander pick a theme for some of the accessories. After some debate he went with Toy Story (surprise, since he hasn't been quite as obsessed with Toy Story in the past months). Xander, Josie and I made up goody bags for the kids at the party and for Xander to bring to his classmates in school. There were special Toy Story plates and cups for the kids and I splurged on a (clearance) bubble maker for in the yard. We decided to keep the party small this year since I'm always exhausted.

On the day of his birthday, he was first up and came in to our room so we could sing happy birthday to him. He was very excited to open a few gifts first thing in the morning (I will spare him the future embarrassment of posting the video of him opening Lego Star Wars underwear). After mass and a few hours of prep, the party was on!

Behold! The birthday penguin!

Blowing out the candles was easy (once we moved the cake close enough).

It passed the taste test!

The weather cooperated so after the sugar fix we sent the kids out to exercise.

Xander was all excited to get a special Sheriff Woody birthday hat. He wore it for all of ten minutes.

He received a plethora of clothes (which he needed) and board games (which he loves and wants to play every night). Then there were a few other gifts that he loved, such as the slippers.

Of course, Josie was in charge of Quality Control.

Chris loved that Xander completely forgot the remaining gifts to be opened and sat looking at the maze book until he was reminded what he was doing.

Like a good son, he pretended to love the clothes I picked out for him.

Josie was very good about waiting until Xander had opened a present and set it aside before she swooped in to check it out.

Now, off to take care of thank you cards!