What a Birthday!

Celebrating Bryce's birthday started on Monday when we went to Brick Oven to redeem his free pizza certificate. Just after we were seated and had ordered, a guy came up to us and asked if the kids would like a balloon and he wasn't talking about any old balloon. He could make pretty much anything out of balloons (like balloon animals, but better). So, obviously Bryce wanted a Darth Vader and Emily wanted Tinkerbell. It was neat to watch this guy transform a couple of balloons into whatever you wanted. The kids loved them! Bryce also got a lollipop sundae and when they brought it to him, a couple of the waiters and waitresses sang to him. Talk about great treatment for his birthday! There was a young couple that was sitting in the booth next to us and as we were leaving and as Bryce passed them, the guy said, "Happy Birthday Bud!" Bryce turned, smiled and said "Thank You" and didn't stop smiling all night. That guy made his day!

We spent the rest of the week getting ready for Bryce's parties. It seems like that's all we did. From getting the decorations, food, and music to Blair and I developing a talent in hand sewing by sewing the velcro on the Jedi capes (thanks mom for making the capes!). We celebrated Bryce's birthday this year by having a Star Wars party. Well, two parties to be exact. (If you know Blair, it's no surprise that Bryce wanted a Star Wars party.) We decided that he was old enough to have a "friend party" this year since he has made some friends at church and school. Then we had the normal family party afterwards. As we got planning the friend party, we decided instead of doing a couple of party games, we would do a Jedi Training Academy which would take up most of the time. Now, if you have been to Disneyland, you know what I am talking about. It was a lot of fun and those who helped out did a wonderful job (and THANK YOU!)! Blair was the Jedi Master who taught the kids the fighting sequence. Our brother-in-law was Darth Vader and Blair's brother was Darth Vader's Master (according to Bryce). Our brother-in-law rented a costume and brought a fog machine that added an awesome effect as he was coming up the stairs. We did have one problem though - a couple of the kids started crying and a couple of them didn't want anything to do with Darth Vader. So only four or five of them actually fought Darth Vader. We felt so bad for the kids that were scared and double checked with the parents the next day to make sure no one had nightmares. We were relieved when all the parents said that their kids had a great time and they wouldn't stop talking about it all day. I guess this would have been better to do when Bryce was older instead of for three and four year olds. Oh, well. Bryce loved it and that's what he wanted to do for his birthday party.

Later that day we had the family party where we had dinner and cake and then Bryce opened presents. Nothing too exciting, but I think all of us were pretty worn out from the party earlier.

At church the next day, Bryce got sung to in primary and got a coupon for a candy and a handshake that could be redeemed from the bishop. Then later that evening, both grandparent's and Uncle Robert came over to watch him open the presents from daddy, mommy, and Emily.

His birthday celebration ended on Monday at preschool. He was the VIP for the week, got sung to, and got to be the special helper to the teacher by putting the "weather of the day" picture on the calendar.

Needless to say, we are pretty worn out. It might take us a month to recover (both energy and the disaster area of a house we have right now), but it is worth it to have Bryce say that he had a "fun" birthday and to already be talking about next year.

And THANK YOU so much to all of you that helped us with any part of his birthday! No matter how big or small, we are grateful for you and all you did!