birthday celebrations
Lijah and I just about share a birthday, and we marked them this past week. He had some parties. We kicked things off last Monday with a relaxing dinner at my parents' house that ended with a cake for each of us. My birthday was Tuesday, and I was treated to another couple of cakes; and pancakes too, since we also celebrated Shrove Tuesday that evening. Lijah turned five on Wednesday and, as has become traditional, requested pancakes for breakfast so he could have one with a candle in it. The main event was Saturday, when we hosted Lijah's friends for his long-awaited Pirate Party.
happy birrrrrthday!
He's had a birthday party every year, but you know it's not really the same when you're turning one, or two, or three. Four is the real deal though, and last year felt like our first experience throwing a winter party—which is to say, one where the kids might need to be inside the whole time. I think we got it now. The pirate theme absolutely demanded a treasure hunt, and unlike the one at Zion's 5-year-old pirate party it would have to be indoors. I had my doubts the kids would be able to interpret the maps I drew of our house, so I enlisted parents to help if needed (not big siblings—that would have been a disaster!). But it turns out Lijah is great at reading maps! And while he still can't find something lying on the ground if he's standing right over it, his friends were prepared to handle that part of the task. There was plenty of gold (twix bars) to share at the end of the hunt.
"north five paces..."
Besides the treasure, we also had lots of arts and crafts supplies available, which were appreciated by adults and kids alike. And there was lots of food. Especially potato chips. With all my planning for indoor fun, the weather was actually pretty nice Saturday, so after Lijah opened his presents we all went out to run around and ride bikes on the street. The best part of March is making snowballs with your bare hands... just for target practice though. No fun to be hit with a snowball while wearing a t-shirt!
We capped the celebration week with one more party, this one at Leah's parents', on Sunday evening. Lijah got a yellow sweatsuit with a tiger face on the hood; he may take it off in a week or two, maybe.