2.20.2012

a birthday story


Michael was bouncing around the room excitedly, "It's my birthday tomorrow! Yay! Mom, I'm so excited for my party!"

This is what excitement looks like at our house

Unfortunately, Michael has parents who dream about awesome parties but procrastinate too much to ever execute them. In fact I was sort of hoping to wrap a present for Michael, take him out for ice cream and call it good this year. But after his cute exclamation about his (inexistent) birthday party, the wheels in my head started turning. How could I let this cute boy down?

We live in a new area. A month ago I thought maybe we'd invite a bunch of our Seattle friends to come hang out for an afternoon at our new place. But now with only a day's notice, I changed my mind. Instead I called up a new friend from church. She has two boys about Michael's age, and an adorable daughter too.

I said, "Hey friend! Do you and your kids want to join us in singing happy birthday to Michael, and help us eat some cake and ice cream?" She was more than delighted, and Michael was thrilled. Rachel told me her son, J, had sung Happy Birthday to Michael in primary that previous Sunday and had already asked to go to Michael's party (because he assumed there was a party, right)?

Michael was also very excited for his Star Wars cake. After Richard planted this cake idea in his mind, I went on the search for the most simple Star Wars cake I could find. Michael helped me out in the kitchen, wearing his birthday crown he got at preschool. He shares his birthday with one other girl in his class, and his teacher--so it was a big preschool party.

We baked a light saber cake made from scratch, chocolate cake with basic buttercream icing. (It's very easy. Just cut a 13x9 cake into thirds, shape it correctly and wal-ah)!

Using the force
We actually went to our friend's home for the party, cake and ice cream in hand. They have more room than us, and parking is a pain at our complex. We also brought balloons as a source of easy entertainment.
Come on, birthday boy...
His cheeks look puffier than the balloon
Rambunctious children!
If you watch last year's birthday video, Michael was absolutely scared of the candles. This year, he told me he was going to blow them out. I wish I had someone video recording him again this year. Holy smokes...this kid is hilarious. He started off standing on the chair, and with each blow he backed up just a little bit, until eventually he climbed down and stood by me. But he continued to blow from a distance, and finally hit that 4th birthday candle. Phew!



Michael is very good at puzzles, so we decided to skip 100 piece puzzles and jump straight to a 300 piece puzzle. That was obviously too complex, but not with daddy's help!

And then we all lived happily ever after. Already counting how many sleeps until his next birthday.

6 comments:

Lisa said...

I love little kid birthdays. They are magical! The light saber is a great cake idea. I actually remember my kid's birthdays by the cake I made for them. Happy Birthday Michael!

Mallory said...

Cool cake! Glad you could throw a party together for him =)

Katie said...

Oh I love it! I'm glad he got his party and his star wars cake. I say next year you make Richard decorate, his artistic skills plus your cupcake skills could be out of this world!

Unknown said...

Great how children are always up to help celebrate at a party - even at a moments notice.
So how come it takes me 8 times to type in the "special characters" to show I am not just a computer or anything. I can't read half of their silly letters.

Suzy said...

I love everything about this story!

-Special Mothertivity- said...

Happy Birthday to Michael!! Love your impromptu party. It is always so hard when they have that party expectation if you've done nothing in preparation.
For Amelia's third birthday she had her heart set on a party. I was so sick being pregnant that t didn't happen. I had mentioned to a friend that Amelia kept asking for a party but being so sick, its wasn't working out. This kind friend invited us over (around the end of Feb)and had planned a birthday party for Amelia (her b-day is Jan 2nd), complete with craft, party hats, and cake with candles. It doesn't have to be big and extravagant, its the memory of being celebrated that's important. This party for Michael reminds me of this child's birthday "party." http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2010/04/flashmob-birthday.html At least every child at Micheal's party he knew. ;)