Our little man has been so pumped to turn 5! He's been talking about it for months, so the morning of his big day was exciting! He's been really into Superheroes lately - specifically Larry Boy, so we went with a Larry Boy theme. Mike was chuckling as I was making the cake, because I've kind of committed myself to elaborate cakes for all the kids' birthdays. Good thing I like doing it (and I'm also really glad that Tate changed his mind about the snake cake he requested for his 5th birthday right after he turned 4).
While he was away at his friend's birthday party (it was a birthday party kind of a day), I put the finishing touches on the cake so they were ready when he got home.
I woke up early in the morning thinking about how I was going to make Larry Boy, and I was happy with the end product. For those of you who were at Sunday school on Sunday and heard me say that I didn't want to ruin Larry Boy, he has now been eaten. Good thing I've got pictures!
Not only did Tate want a Larry Boy cake, he also wanted it to be a chocolate mint cake. So, together we decided to put York Peppermint Patties between the layers and he was convinced that his friends were going to LOVE his cake! I don't recall any rave reviews from the other 5 year olds at the party, but I didn't hear any complaints either. He was also very excited about the peppermints (a.k.a.: Superhero Vitamins) that we bought a couple weeks before the party.
The house was ready for the guests to arrive!
I found some bad looking villains in our yard right before the party started (older siblings and one excited coerced dad). They got loose.....
...but these Superheroes were ready to stop 'em!
Dragging the bad guy to jail!
If you're a bad guy, be afraid of that cute blond Superhero tackling you to the ground!
Go Super J! (This is my nephew, and he turned on his charm and had all the moms in love with him by the end of the party. It was pretty funny.)
Of course Tate's cape had to be orange!
The kids had so much fun chasing the bad guys around the yard and putting them in jail! Such a simple game, but so much fun!
Present time!
Happy Birthday to you!
After the friends had gone home, Tate got to open some presents from us and Grandma and Grandpa. I asked him today what his favorite present was (dangerous question, I know), and he wisely said, "All of them!"
Super pumped about his Larry Boy hat!
It's a team effort to open "the big one."
"It's my very own suitcase! And it's orange!!!" He loved it and he might even be planning his next trip so he can use it.
At the end of the day, where does the baby play? In the box of course!
This was the first birthday that we've had a friend party, and I was a bit tired by the end of the day. It was so worth it though. I am very thankful for the help that my mom and mother-in-law gave me during the party! They were very gracious with me when I felt a little bossy.
We are so thankful for the gift that God gave us when Tate was born 5 years ago. His name means cheerful gift from God, and he fits the bill. He is ready for life every morning and he has an excitement and imagination that I smile at every single day. We love this boy so much and we are looking forward to the years ahead when we get to watch God shape and mold him into who He wants him to be.
