That's How to Celebrate!

Immediately after returning home from our vacation in Las Vegas, AJ wakes up and says first thing in the morning - while still in bed, "Can I have a treat?" He treasured the family moments and the extra fun.

It was daddy's 35th birthday and AJ had lots of ideas about how to celebrate! He was not impressed with my ideas of a relaxed birthday after a weekend out.

A five year old's presecription for a great birthday:

• Lots of presents. When I suggested he draw something, he said, "No, mom. I mean real presents, you know... a present, a thing. You put it in the wrap paper. You gotta get him a lot of presents."

• A birthday cake. "Where is the birthday cake?" And don't forget, it needs icing!

• Decorations. "The things that hang down from the walls...and balloons!"

• Write a special poem. His idea was a little piggies story and here's what he came up with:

This little piggy plays pretend.
This little piggy goes to read books.
This little piggy draws a picture.
This little piggy wants to have fun.
This little piggy has a birthday everyday!
Oink. Oink. The End.

It seems I had forgotten some of the details of what makes the big day feel special. :)
AJ made it a blast.

(Note: This cake was created by Amber and Crystal!)

No Longer A Little Boy

AJ turned 5 last week! I can't believe how fast this boy has sprouted.

AJ asked if he could have a party, but stay 4 years old. Wow, this kid is so smart!

We had fun with celebrating three days in a row. We kept it low key this year. Next year we'll go for the big party again...

Day 1 - Chuck E. Cheese with just daddy and mommy.

Day 2 - See UP in 3D on opening day with dad, mom, and ate.

Day 3 - Legoland with Grandma Emily (aka gramomily), Alliana, mommy, and Cassie.

Lots of fun!

Fingers in the Sugar Box

Yesterday we rearranged the kitchen and did some deep cleaning. I moved the sugar within AJ's reach and it did not go unnoticed. In the evening I walked into the kitchen and caught him with his fingers in the sugar box. He looked at me with big guilty eyes and after a gentle scolding (and a hidden giggle), he wiped his fingers off with a napkin. He already had plenty of candy with Daddy and he knew it.

This morning after a big smiling hug for me, he notified me that he needed to make sure all the ingredients for his birthday cake are in the cupboard. Honey, sugar, icing, and red sprinkles. All there. The day can now go on.

Happy Boy Genius

After letting AJ play on the computer last night - following two days of me saying he couldn't because I was too "busy" working on it - he said:

"Mom, I Love You.

You make me feel happy because you make me feel special."

Then he gave me his treasured keys as a present.

So adorable.

Saturday Morning

Ajs wake up call with daddy:

Dad: Hi Ayin. Are you going to watch Noggin today?
(His favorite pre-school cartoon channel)

Aj: I'm watching right now.
(And passes phone back to mom. Conversation is over.)


Last night we went to a friend's birthday party.

Ayin gave away his treasured princess doll that he keeps in his pocket to the birthday girl. This was a big deal because he loved that princess, but he gave it as a gift. He even cleared it with mom first. He let me know this was serious.

And when she put the princess down, he picked it up and handed it back to her - three times. He really wanted her to have it :) She thought it was adorable.

He entertained many of his "elders" at the party with inventing a new game at the pool table. He had a few adults yelling together "yah" and made lots of friends.

Music

Mom, I wanna get a:
- xylophone
- violin
- trumpet

These three things, okay mom?

After school request

"Let's go home and get some of my circle monies to go to the movie store and then play DS at my house".