Family Fridays {Peanut's 5th Birthday}

On Saturday, March 8th we celebrated Peanut's fifth birthday. I try to keep the decorations and day's events unique to each little, but it can be challenging when the birthdays fall within a week of one another.  Thankfully Peanut loved the festive "partyscape" he found when he awoke.

Peanut beelined it straight for the pile of presents and his new gumball machine. Santa brought Belle a gumball machine 2 Christmases ago and Peanut has eagerly awaited a machine of his own.

The birthday boy requested M&M pancakes shaped like the letter "J" and number "5".  

 Somehow we've created a new tradition of opening birthday gifts after breakfast and Peanut happily dove into his gifts: a new electric motor boat, shark tooth rainbow loom, Avengers yo-yo & the complete collection of Thomas the Train.

Peanut spent some time with Hubby working on his new boat. We also stopped in at Busy Bee for another birthday cake, before heading off to lunch at Red Robin. Peanut tried his hand a few times at the arcade games and enjoyed a birthday sundae. Sadly he declared his grill cheese "gross and not as good as mommy's" so the ice cream also filled in for lunch. 

Back home, we prepared for another family birthday dinner. Peanut requested Little Ceasar's pizza. Since that pretty much tastes like rubber cheese on cardboard, I also made a homemade marinara, pasta and salad (entertaining during lent isn't the fanciest). The birthday boy was happy so that is what counts.

After dinner we feasted on a dessert buffet compiled by Peanut: chocolate cake, ice cream sundaes, sprinkle cookies and fudge cover oreos. Never a shortage of sweets around here.

The evening came to a close with presents and a lively session of Wipe Out on the xBox. This little boy is the sunshine of our family, always full of joy with smiles to spare. It was a pleasure showering him with extra love on his big day.

Peanut was even able to stretch the birthday celebration a bit longer with a school party the following Monday. Little M, Hubby, & I headed into class to nosh on birthday cake oreos (quite delish if you haven't had them yet) and superhero gummies with Peanut and his buddies. I read Peanut's favorite boat book at story time and Peanut received a birthday certificate. It is very bittersweet to know this is the last year we'll be able to celebrate his birthday at school. 

Happy 5th birthday my big boy! We love you so very much!!!

Family Friday {M's 2nd Birthday}

Yesterday we celebrated the 2nd birthday of our Little M. Already at age 2, M was full of anticipation for the big day and all the special to him treats that were planned. At breakfast, it was pancakes with his very much loved m&ms, whipped cream & berries. 

He fell immediately in love with his new dino "pig-a-bang" and let out several approving "roar, roar, roars".

The next stop was a trip to All Aboard Diner for a birthday lunch via choo choo and a healthy dose of train table time.

 

When the restaurant broke out in song for M's birthday it was almost too much for the little man to take. Thankfully the site of the the vanilla cupcake on the train car was enough to hold off the tears. 

After naps and Belle's return from school, it was time for presents. This year Peanut & Belle both bought & wrapped gifts for their baby brother. 

 A toy key car from Peanut and a "zee-bra" from Belle.

From Mommy & Daddy a new ceramic cup & plate, the complete anthology of Winnie the Pooh, a dino bank and dino stamp set.

Upon opening the mug, he commented "for smoothies" as M is the only one who shares my love of green smoothies for breakfast.

I then attempted a quick photo session and remembered why a good child photographer is worth her weight in gold.

Finally, dinner time rolled around and the much anticipated "dino potty" began. The dining room was decked out for the festivities and we had the opportunity to use the new dining table sitting all 14 of us together to eat the birthday boy's requested dinner of pizza and salad. 

 

When it was time for cake, I added a triceratops to the Busy Bee cake M selected earlier in the day.
To round out the dessert table were the birthday boy's favorites: m&ms, ice cream and cookies.

We wrapped up the night watching M's 2nd year slideshow, opening gifts and enjoying family time. 

A whole hearted thank you to all our family who came to celebrate our baby boy…it meant the world to us. We love you!

Happy Birthday sweet, strong-willed and vibrant M. We are blessed beyond measure to have you in our family!