Jaden's Birthday Party

For Jaden's fourth birthday, he requested a Toy Story party. I tried talking him into a more general, less commercial theme, like monsters or cowboys, but he didn't go for it, so Toy Story it was. We had his party at the house, and planned to have most of it take place in the backyard, which we are fortunate to be able to do in January in New Mexico! But just as his party was about to begin, the wind started picking up and we ended up having to move a lot of the activities (and what seemed like 20 kids) inside. It was crowded, but fun nonetheless!

The decorations are one of my favorite parts about planning a party. I loved being able to use lots of different colors with the Toy Story theme. I recruited the help of my mom, sister, and sister-in-law and we made the banners, party poms, cupcake toppers, and adorable alien favor bags! (And I promised that I would have my Cricut Machine up and running by the next party :).

Isn't the cake adorable! One of my student's moms made it and I thought she did an amazing job! Sam was in Florida the week before the party and went to Downtown Disney to get this set of Toy Story figures to use on the cake. Jaden was so excited!

While looking up ideas for a Toy Story party, I came across a great idea to serve food like the Toy Story restaurant, Pizza Planet. We had a variety of pizzas for the adults, and the kids got to make their own personal pizzas.

In the backyard we set up a little jumping balloon, a sand and water table, a playhouse, playdough, and a table with Toy Story games (Kerplunk and Buckaroo). The kids had a hard time trying to play with sand and playdough in 60 MPH winds; but the jumping balloon remained a hit! And we also played several rounds of musical chairs, which proved to be a hard lesson in losing for some little ones. We knew that everyone was a winner, but they weren't buying it. And I know what you're thinking -- as a preschool teacher, I should have known better and shouldn't have taken out any chairs so that everyone really was a "winner" each round; but in my recent studies, I've read that it is best for kids to learn at an early age about being good sports and that they can't always win; so call it what you will, but I like to think that I was helping them grow and develop :o). And once they got the hang of it, they were all smiles!

These mammas did not want to brave the windy weather!

I found the cutest Toy Story candy necklace kit that had a package for each child to make their own necklace. They were really focused and had so much fun making these!

Time for the Pinata! I think this pinata was holding at least ten bags of candy! It was so heavy. As soon as they strung the rope through and lifted it, the weight of the pinata made it break right through the rope. My dad had to do some reconstructing (which is why there is a towel taped across the top of it!).

Time to sing "Happy Birthday!"

I regret not getting a picture of Jaden with all of his little party guests while they were all still there, but I got a couple of really cute ones with the few kids we could round up at the cake.

Surprisingly Jaden wasn't asking me if he could open his presents the entire party, so we almost forgot about this part! He got so many thoughtful and wonderful gifts from so many thoughtful and wonderful family and friends! What a lucky, loved little boy!

Happy Birthday Sweet Jaden!

Jaden's Big Day

As sad as it makes us to see our little guys get so big, so quickly, birthdays are always very exciting and something we make a HUGE deal about around here. Jaden's birthday was such a special day just to celebrate him and how special he is to our family.

I spent the evening before his birthday decorating the living room with streamers, balloons, and a birthday banner. I was going to cover his bedroom floor with balloons, but Sam talked me out of it, and for good reason - can you imagine getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of night to a floor covered in balloons; or a balloon popping in your room while you sleep (what was I thinking!?). I wrapped all of his presents and I knew he would be so surprised the next morning!

I got a tennis racquet for Christmas, so now he and I can play together!

Probably his most favorite gift of all -- books (and my favorite gift to give)! While at Target one day, he asked me to get him some of these little leveled readers for his birthday. He was so excited to see that I had remembered his request. The readers he got were Little Critter, Fancy Nancy, and two Toy Story ones.

It was Jaden's special day from beginning to end, so he got to pick a special lunch - Happy Meals!

While the boys napped, I attempted to make Jaden a Buzz Lightyear birthday cake. He loved it and that's all that matters.

Jaden had his choice of restaurants for dinner and was torn between Cracker "Bells" (Cracker Barrel) and Peter Piper. Then I suggested a fun place in El Paso called Jungle Jaks, and he was all for it! So as soon as daddy got off of work, we headed there and met the rest of the family for an evening of fun!

Jaden, Elijah and Aubrey can't wait to get that cake in their hands...

...and Landon would love it if he could just get that hand in his mouth!

Presents - for Elijah too! Lucky boy has some awesome grandparents who didn't want him to feel left out in the present opening. He got an adorable little remote control train.

And Jaden got the Toy Story GeoTrax train set! Thank you Nana and Papa!

One last ride on the bumper boats and bumper cars before it was time to go.

He had such a wonderful day and was so sad to see it all end. But I know this is just the beginning of a year full of fun and adventures to come!

Happy Birthday to An Amazing "Big" Boy!

On January 18, my sweet Jaden turned 4 years old! It was definitely BIG excitement for him, and something he has been looking forward to since January 18, 2010. Apparently when you turn 4, you officially achieve "big boy" status, so it was a day my little guy had been anxiously anticipating for exactly a year. And I'll be honest, it was a bittersweet day for me. It made me miss the days where I could just scoop him up and snuggle the heck out of him; the days where he would happily comply with anything I suggested; and the days that I was not yet thinking about the choices he will make with the pressures of being an adolescent. It also made me wonder why we are constantly subconsciously encouraging him to grow up so fast by talking to him about being a "big boy," behaving like a "big boy," and doing things that "big boys" do. And even though I wish he could just stay little (and often ask him if he will...he says nope), this day also made me so proud to reflect on the wonderful "big boy" that he is inevitably becoming. He is such a good-hearted, sweet-natured little ("big") guy who is so considerate of others. He loves his family more than anything and if we could have a family get-together everyday, he would be in seventh heaven. He's a ball of endless energy, always on the go and coming up with new games to play or jokes to tell; although he's shy (so he says) around new people. He's a little four-year-old attitude with an occasional case of selective-listening. He is so wise and thoughtful and I am constantly amazed at the things he comes up with. He's very inquisitive and is never short of curiosity and questions (and ironically, he knows the answers to everything, too!). And it makes my heart happy (and eyes teary) to think of what an amazing big brother he is. He would do absolutely anything for his Elijah, and Elijah loves him just as much. Jaden is such a blessing to our family and I am thankful for him every day. He has probably taught me way more than I have taught him. I am so thankful to be able to spend most of my day with him and Elijah (and am so appreciative to my hard-working husband who has given me the opportunity to spend this time with the boys each day). And as much as I would love to slow down the process, my little guy is growing up whether I'm ready to accept it or not. So as he grows, my wish is that he continues to love learning and reading; that he always treats people with love and respect; and that he never loses his joy for life.

Happy Birthday to our amazing "Big" Boy. We love you so much!