and then he was four
Four years ago today, my son, Oliver, was born.
Four. Wow.
We had a little party for him on Saturday morning with some of his friends from his preschool. Truthfully, we celebrated Oliver all weekend. That’s the great thing about a birthday, right? It always stretches out for a few days, and if you’re lucky, maybe even a week.
Oliver’s party invitations came from Tiny Prints. I love that store. I buy invitations and holiday cards from them all the time. And, no, they didn’t pay me to say that. I wish they did, but they didn’t.
If I were a good mom, I would have baked and decorated the birthday cake myself, staying up all hours of the night until it was just perfect. But, I’m a busy works-full-time-and-has-too-much-stuff-going-on kind of mom, so I didn’t. I’m also into maintaining my sanity for as long as possible. So I ordered a cake. And, as usual, the Publix cake decorators did a fantastic job matching the decorations to the invitation.
(And don’t tell anyone, but I’m totally addicted to the Publix buttercream frosting, so I’ll order a Publix cake any chance I get. Shh..)
Madeline had specifically requested a bouncy house with a slide for her brother’s party, and, because he’s still in awe of his big sister, Oliver wanted whatever she told him he wanted. We, of course, obeyed. I also set up an activity table with foam stickers and foam craft paper. As it turned out, the stickers were a huge hit among all the kids – boys and girls alike.
“I had a fun day,” Oliver told me before he went to bed Saturday night. My heart warmed. I had a fun day, too.
I’ve had a fun four years, in fact. The most fun ever.
Your children are precious… and you’re absolutely right. You should keep your sanity for as long as you can. I should share with you some of the birthday cakes my mom made for me as a child (a Cake Bible chocolate cake decorated with the Ghostbusters logo)… but I remember she was a bit stressed through the whole thing and would ultimately collapse from exhaustion after the event.
Sounds like he had a memorable day… and that you did too.
The cake bible chocolate cake with the Ghostbusters logo sounds fascinating, Brian! It’s crazy the things we do for our kids, and I’m certain to lose my sanity in other aspects of parenting, but I have promised myself I won’t do it over the birthday parties. It really was a great day.
So sweet!
Cute cake too – regardless who made it. ; )
Thanks!
This post was so lovely! Congratulations to Oliver for turning 4. That’s big stuff!
I also think the cake that the Publix made was pretty great looking too. They did a wonderful job of recreating Oliver’s party invitation in frosting. Also, bravo to you for admitting your addiction to Publix icing. I’m sure the food snobs just cringed, but I’m not one of them!
On a side note, I love your Merry Gourmet logo. So cute!
Renee – I’m positive I offended all the food snobs, but I have to be honest. 🙂
I love birthdays that last all weekend. And if Publix cakes are anything like Safeway cakes, the frosting is some of the best stuff on earth.
Wendi – I think they put crack in their frosting. It’s really that addictive.
All weekend? Consider yourself lucky he is only four; soon they will get old enough to find a way to stretch their birthday from one weekend to the other…and when mine were that age, I was equally culpable of that being the case!
I love seeing little kids parties; they are a big reminder of the fun we had whey my kids were little. Your children are adorable and I can attest to Brian’s moms occasional angst. I did make all of my kids birthday cakes but I don’t think I had a Publix or a prayer to get a cake this cute or that would not have been the case.
Barbara – I’m planning on stretching my birthday out for this entire month, so I know what you’re talking about. 😉
You have one lucky son — looks like a great party!
Cheers,
*Heather*
MJ, Great post! And beautiful party-I am stealing your ideas 🙂 Tiny prints card and Publix @ Jonesville for cake-thank you!
Please send me more details on the sticker fun table-I would like to have it for Eddie’s late b-day party!
Azra – I wish I could say there was something really unique about what I did, but seriously, it was nothing more than a table set up with some foam paper and foam stickers from the craft store, Michael’s. I bought a variety of stickers – things that both girls and boys would like – and they all had a great time!
Too cute!! I loved all the kids expressions!!! What a wonderful party – craft ideas are always a hit! The best one I ever did was when my son was 8 – wanted an “army” party. We had more fun! The craft was to make large paper airplanes that they decorated with crayons and stickers and then we had a contest to see who could fly theirs the farthest!! I honestly think the kids would have been happy to do that all day long!! So glad that the party worked out so well – good job Mom!!!
Thanks, Nancy! I’m always amazed when kids are drawn to crafts, but they really seem to love them, even when they seem very simple – like my very simple stickers set-up. Worked out beautifully. 🙂
Your children are adorable and it looks like it was a grand party! Go you!!!
Thanks, Maria!