Tyler's Birthday Celebrations

We have 2 celebrations for each child's birthday every year. The first celebration takes place on the actual birthday. The birthday boy or girl gets to choose what's for dinner and then we have a dessert and sing Happy Birthday.

On the morning of Tyler's birthday, I reminded him that he got to choose what was for dinner. Anything he wanted. I told him we could go out to dinner, order food, or Mommy would cook something for him. He chose Mommy's cooking over any old restuarant! How sweet is that?! So my next question was, "What would you like me to cook for you?" He said he had to think about it for a while. A little while later I asked if he had thought of what he wanted. He said that he was still thinking and then said, "I know! I want fish! ......and shrimp!" Yes, my 5-year-old LOVES seafood. Always has really (ever since he was old enough to eat it anyway). So fish and shrimp it was. He ate almost every bit! And he's since told me that he wants the same exact thing for his birthday dinner next year. :)

After dinner, it was time for the Happy Birthday song, birthday cupcakes, and a couple small presents. I have to point out that Tyler didn't want me to use the green star candle on the brownies. Yep, it is still his favorite color. You'll see why later in this post.

Funny story about this flashlight from Mommy and Daddy: Billy loves MagLites. Tyler loves using Daddy's MagLites. Daddy thought Tyler would love having a MagLite of his own. You also have to know that ever since Christmas, Billy has been trying to get Tyler to tell his Grandmas and Grandpas that he needs his own laptop instead of more toys. But, 5-year-olds love toys and Tyler isn't convinced on the whole laptop thing. He can just use Mommy's or Daddy's after all. When we brought in the wrapped gift Tyler exclaimed, "I hope it's a toy and not a laptop!" So he opens it, and has a look of dissapointment on his face and says, "I wanted a toy..." Poor Daddy. It really was so thoughtful of him. And Tyler really does love and use it. This picture was taken after the initial disappointed feeling.

One other cute comment Tyler made that day:
A little before Grandma and Pawpaw got to our house for dinner, Tyler received a call from his Great Aunt Kandee to wish him a happy birthday. They got to chat for quite a while, but once Grandma and Pawpaw came through the front door Tyler told her, "I love you Kandee. I gotta go. Some of my party guests are here!"

The 2nd birthday celebration is the actual party where the birthday boy or girl gets to pick the theme and what kind of cake he/she wants. Tyler chose to have a rocket themed party this year and we decided to have the party be pretty low-key and only invite family.
These space balloons were the party favors for each child. They got to decorate them with stickers. This is the infamous balloon that got sucked out the window and (did not) fly to space. On the left is cousin Lilly and on the right are cousins Keilana and Kayden.

Here are highlights of the gifts given by Tyler's grandparents.

And some from Aunties, Uncles, and cousins.

And here's the rocket cake Tyler requested (and the green star candle that HAD to be on this cake). And yes those are real sparkles coming out the back of it...

And YES we really DID light them!

Can you sense Tyler's reservations about the situation. "Okay Mommy, if you really want sparklers lit in the house that's your prerogative. Just so you know though, I'm feeling a little too close for comfort here..."