Birthday!

My mom is visiting (wonderful!!), my sister left not too long ago (double wonderful!!), so it's been a full and fun time around here.  Saturday was Owen's 4th birthday party.  Owen's dreams of this party were born months ago, and he has come close to mentioning it every day since.  Often at bedtime his story request was, "Can we just talk about my birthday party a little bit?"  I think it was his first really anticipated, full-on, excitement-filled birthday party.  He had settled on a beach theme, and of course along with that...a cake shaped like a LOBSTER!  Now there's a way to instill fear in your mother's heart.  Never fear, marshmallow fondant to the rescue.  He also wanted to eat lobster for lunch and he hoped the cake would be bigger than he is.  Well, he got the lobster cake :)  It was chilly on party day but all the kids seemed happy to be playing outside, so we went with it, did our games outside, and then came in for presents, lunch and cake.  A super-fun day all around.  Thanks to all our friends for making Owen's day special!

Beach gear relay = kids having fun but wondering, 'why are we doing this?' while grownups get the most laughs.

Hunt for [pictures of] seashells game

Fishing game:  hook a magnetic fish, read the # on the back, and everyone do the corresponding activity (e.g., pretend to swim in the ocean, sing ABCs, wiggle!, etc.)

Nunu + Asher = love affair.  Asher would happily relinquish all claims to me if Nunu would adopt him!

The bigger boys are the ones most interested in the presents.

Hit-of-the-party present:  1/4 size guitar from Nunu.  Oh my, how much amelodic strumming can I take?  My limits will be tested in days to come.  He loves it!!  And so many other wonderful presents too.  A birthday is at least as good as Christmas when you're 4 (I'm not sure it wasn't better!).

The lobster cake.  After so much anticipation of the cake, Owen brought his claw back complaining it was bitter.  I suppose when you have to use a tub of red food coloring, that can happen :}

Happy Birthday Owen!  My favorite 4 year old in the whole world!  You are a blessing to our family, and growing into a special boy.  We are proud of you and love being your parents.  You are fun!