Birthday Bash

New pajamas, new lego truck

We started Noah's birthday celebrations early this year! Knowing Karl was going to be gone all morning and most of the afternoon on Saturday, we decided to just tell him his birthday was on Friday! Now way was I going to pull it all off by myself!

Thursday night when we got home from the pool, there was a package on the front step. Noah was super excited! He really wanted to open it right away and I thought: Why not? It seems like too many presents at once never work very well anyway. So we gathered around and he opened Grandma and Grandpa's present: lego and pajamas. Just what he wanted! So he put on the pajamas and the boys went to work building the lego truck.

It turned out awesome! He loved it, took it to bed with him, and played with it - until Max decided he'd had enough and threw it against the wall and it shattered.

Max thought it would be fun to start Noah's birthday early on Friday. He was awake and ready to go at 5:30 am! You've got to be kidding me!!! I even cut out his nap, but it is not working. So we grabbed Noah, took him in bed with us, and let Max scream in his crib. I am not sure if he went back to sleep or not but we did not care until 7 am. Then we let him have fun with the balloons before we decided to wake up Noah at 7:30.

Noah opened a few more presents, we sang, blew out candles, he had his favorite cereal for breakfast, and off he went with Karl to preschool. He has been loving preschool and today they went to the local fire station! He got to ride in the fire truck and spray the fire hose! They could not have planned it any better. Then they all enjoyed some chocolate cupcakes.

In the afternoon, it was time for Noah's birthday party. He had been so excited about for so long. First, it was going to be a construction party. But once he realized that we were not going to build a treehouse with him and his little friends, he changes his mind. A firefighter party it was going to be.

At the party we had:

• A great obstacle course designed by Karl, complete with animal rescue and fire slide. They loved it.
• Fire extinguishing with Noah's new fire hose (and tank, from the thrift store). It sprays super far and was a hit. They were pretty good at taking turns though.
• Some free play. These boys played together really well and came up with some fun ideas. They are all preschool buddies.
• Cake and ice cream, birthday song and candles

Noah, Charlie, Tanner

• A treasure hunt. As you may know, I love treasure hunts. Super easy to prepare. They get to run around, play detectives, and work together as a team. This one was quite involved but they did a great job. The 'treasure' was little bags with party favors.
• Presents

Ash, Karl, Noah, Charlie

I would say it went pretty well. I always get stressed out right before but I guess that is normal. I should start preparing earlier. Also, I kind of want it to be low-key, yet really fun and as perfect as possible. Karl is a great sport and just goes along with whatever I come up with.

Noah thought it was great. I am always worried with that kid. He is so particular and has it all planned out in his own little head. And he can get really mad if things don't go the way he wants them to. But he had a fantastic time and loved it!

Then it was time for clean up. We were lucky to be able to use the group area by the office with a picnic table, grass, and rocks. It would have almost been impossible to have a decent party in our tiny apartment. We sure hauled a lot of stuff over there though. The boys enjoyed their ride home.

Noah trying to smile

Max was ... well, he was Max. Part of the big boys and into everything. When I tried to blow up balloons, he popped one after the other. When I brought the cake out, he pretty much dove right into it. When his diaper got heavy, he took it off and tried to strut around naked. And that is why neither one of us had time to play photographer.

We all still love you, Max!

Then it was time for dinner and more presents. Thanks to all the packages from Germany! Oma and Opa always send the best stuff! A marble run, a sweat shirt, a tool belt with real tools, and much more.

One very happy Noah!

The end. Phew.