They Say the Middle Child is the Most Neglected

Which might explain the lack of Elliot's birthday post.

I'm not even going to comment on the lag. You know I work off praise. And I'm the last person alive who reads blogs, so there is my quandary. I could log in as others and leave comments. Something to consider ...

Suffice it to say, I never got Elliot's birthday up the next day.

But my little boy has ceased to be very little. In June, he turned 4 and then in the weeks following he sprouted into a full-grown boy who now wants to be a prince instead of a baby when he is grown (see post about Disney tomorrow ... or in a few weeks).

A few days before his birthday, we had his party. His birthday falls at the end of the school year, so in an attempt to grab people before vaca, we celebrated on the last day of school (which, at the time, meant nothing in this house).

My little swashbuckler chose a pirate theme for the day.

So first I cut out swords for a craft.

Next, I found little treasure chests at a craft store for $1 each and filled the boxes with pirate booty (chocolate coins, plastic coins, rock candy).

I'm not a kind enough mother to make two cakes, so instead I made party cupcakes. Twinged with guilt the night before, I quick made a cupcake holder to resemble a pirate ship. Literally it took 15 minutes and my conscience was eased.

When the boys arrived, we decorated our swords, donned patches and grabbed our treasure maps to go in search of our pirate booty (the little chests). I'd hidden them outside and, since Lane took the kids on the hunt, it was a nice 15-minute respite.

All the little pirates ... and Jane, who declared she was a princess pirate.

It was a very successful party. Elliot loved the attention and all his gifts. I think the biggest hit of the day was the pirate ice in each of the kids' cups.

A few days later, we celebrated his actual birthday.

He really must be my child because we was convinced his birthday lasted from Thursday (the day of the party) until Tuesday (his actual birthday).

Birthday donuts

Shakes and the train park ... it was SO hot!

Birthday nap. The nap is a once-a-year phenomenon, so I knew it was a big day for him.

We had a family party (cousins included) that night for my little birthday boy, complete with pizza and cake.

Icing that acts like fondant. The Jolly Roger isn't magnificent, but it was done freehand by a woman with 5-year-old artistic skills, so I say: BOO-YA!

He needed no help with this part of the festivities.

He's telling everyone here to sing Happy Birthday to him.

 

Pro. No girlfriends ... yet!

Later that night, when everyone was in bed, Lane set up Elliot's new train set to surprise him the next morning.

Thirty minutes into set-up, what should we hear? A little boy who claimed he couldn't sleep. I couldn't help myself. I let him play for the next hour.

He reminds me of Buddy the Elf with his nightly insistence to wear these jammies.

This little green-eyed boy is my love. He is my best snuggler and so dear to my heart I can't kick him out of my bed after his nightly crawl-ins.

He's getting so big and very boyish, I don't know what I'll do with myself. I keep having these daydreams of a 16-year-old blond boy walking out my front door. I see myself following after this boy who is much taller than myself asking for a kiss. My dream always ends there. So I go to my not-so-little 4-year-old and beg a kiss off him, which he freely gives his kiss-grubbing mommy.

And now, two months later, this little monkey is already asking if it is his birthday yet.