Spencer is FOUR!!!

Birthdays stress me out. My kids are at the age where they want birthday parties and I can't just give them anything without them caring. I worry about the party and what I'm going to do, who I'm going to invite, having a plan and making sure I have everything. And for presents I stress about getting them something just right. I hate spending money on items that are played with for a day and thrown to the side in less than a month or worse a week.

I wasn't keen on inviting all of Spencer's class but who should I invite from the class. There are only four other boys (of whom I don't talk much with their mom's) so I didn't want to just do boys. So the whole class it was! But I learned my lesson with Jared's party last year. Presents are welcome! I really don't like having kids bring presents but honestly if I would've said no presents we'd have 15 kids +parents in our home. (I have not yet been able to justify $200-500 parties held at a "cool" facility).

I wanted to have the party on his birthday but back in September he got an invite to a birthday party on his birthday. Seriously! Some people are on top of things. Three weeks early! So we had his party on Friday. I bought pirate invitations and after paying $15 I decided I could do better and cheaper too:) Here was the outcome:

I also made his pirate cake:

And a pirate pinata:

The decor for the party:

Action shots at the party:

Take note of the girl in brown with polka dots at the head of the table. I will refer to her later in the post:)

His actual birthday was packed! I slept in til 7:15 when the boys woke up, made waffles, opened presents:
Went to a party from a girl, Abbey, in Spencer's class. They had a magician there and it was entertaining and the kids loved it.
When leaving the party Abbey ran up to Spencer and gave him a hug good-bye, ran away, and then ran back and gave him a kiss on the cheek to which Spencer wiped his cheek off with his sleeve.

Then we were on our way to a boy's birthday party, Sean, from Jared's class at Lil' Kickers. Traffic was bad and we were already running late. It took us about 30 mins to get to our next location to which Jared was relentless in talking about the kiss Spencer received. "Why did she kiss him?" "Spencer do you want to kiss her back? On the lips?" "Do you want to marry her?" "I think I may have been kissed before." etc...

We finally arrived 30 mins late. Jared played soccer with friends while Spencer, Miles and I watched. While eating pizza they got the inflatables out. Spencer and Miles joined in on the action this time. They had a blast! Below is Jared, Tadgh, and Spencer on a giant slide (the favorite).

Then we came home, played with presents (legos, Dagedars, Phineas and Ferb figurines, balls, and walkie talkies). I only made one cake and Chris picked up four gourmet cupcakes that we ate on his birthday.
We all went to bed exhausted and happy. Happy birthday little Man!

And real quick I wanted to post a little more about Spencer... This man has turned a corner this past four to six months and he is so much enjoyable! Not that I didn't enjoy Spencer before, he just whined all the time. And I don't know why, but nothing gets to my nerves more than whining. He still whines but it's more normal and not excessive. He talks so much more. I love his conversations, I love his expressions, I love his giggles, I LOVE being his mom.

Somethings I want to remember about Spencer:

"Mom, I like you"

"Will you play with me? Say yes"

"Can I have some candy, say yes"

He loves school. Never has he complained or not wanted to go.

He likes to tell you what to say when playing with him.

Gets along wonderfully with girls, seriously!

Loves lasagna and lasagna bread (french bread)

Loves his primary teacher at church Sister Monson and therefore so do I!

Loves candy, always asking for it and is he my child that will sneak it and hide and eat it

Loves Wild Kratts

Everyday he asks for a frozen strawberry

Can't wait to pick up Jared from school

One of his favorite books is the chapter book of Peter Pan

He's a cuddle bug. He loves me to hold him and just snuggle.

Very sensitive, sweet hearted, tender little man:)

I love you Spencer James!