Birthday #4!

Today is Hayden's birthday!  I can't believe I've done this mommy thing for four years.  What a ride! 

 When I told Hayden it was his birthday, he was "so so so excited!"  It's so fun because this is the first year he's understood what birthdays are. We talked about it last night actually.  He asked me why it was his birthday in the morning, and I told him it was the day he was born, like how our new baby will come out of my tummy one day.  He thought that was hilarious!

We started off the day with... church of course!  It was his turn for our primary to sing to him today.  I had been wondering how this would go, because he hasn't been chosen to help with any of the sharing time activities, and I didn't know how he would react to being in front of everyone.  He refused to go up.  Derrick offered to go stand by him up there, but he still refused.  So after they sang, the president came and told him he could pick a treasure out of the little mailbox.  He wouldn't do it.  His primary teacher told her that Hayden liked stickers, so she picked some sports ball stickers out and offered it to him.  He wouldn't even take them!  So she sat them on the chair next to  him.  A minute later I saw him touching them and then he picked them up.  I cannot believe how shy he is sometimes, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised because I was that shy too as a little girl!  As his mommy, my heart just hurts for him sometimes.  I know he wants to be involved and do fun things sometimes, but he's just too scared.  I wish I knew how to help him, but I also know it's something you just have to grow out of.

On the way home, he started to milk the birthday thing.  He kept saying things like, "I'm so excited it's my birthday!  Mommy, will you tell me happy birthday?  Halle, you gotta tell me happy birthday, because it's my special birthday today.  Hey mommy, you know what I want for my birthday?  A sucker."

After church I told him if he cleaned up his toys from the living room he could have his presents. :)  Cause that's just the kind of mom I am I guess.  He got a Thomas the train from Halle (which is his favorite present), a tag reader and some books, and a train track set (I got at a yard sale last summer).  Do you see a little trend?  And also notice the conductor hat he put on... that was his own doing, and a nice touch, I thought.

After presents it was time to get to work.  (Ok, well maybe I had an hour nap first!)  

I made Hayden, what else, a train cake!  I found a pan that made individual train cars.  I decided to put it on a chocolate sheet cake, because, well, it sounded delicious!  I figured the kids could have their little train cars and I would make something a little more appealing to the adults too.  Can I just say I am super proud of that writing on that cake?  I was nervous about that part, and I've never really been good at icing writing.  But I think it turned out looking pretty great!  This was a really fun cake to decorate.  And if you're wondering why the first blue train has a #1 instead of #4 for his age, it's because Thomas has a number one.  

Before our friends came over we had dinner.  I cooked Hayden's request, which was peanut butter pancakes and eggs.  Easy and yummy!  Look how handsome he is!  I just love him.

There was a lot of anticipation for that cake while we waited for all our friends to come.  (Do you just love Halle's after nap hair?!)

But the balloons kept the little ones occupied.

One of his friends brought him a gift.  Again, he was too shy to open it!  I had to sit by him. (and you can catch a peek at my belly!)

When it was time for cake and ice cream we sang to him.  He wasn't so sure about that.  He wouldn't even try to blow out the candles.  Luckily his friend Dalton was more than willing to help him out. :)

It was a long exciting day!  He fell asleep before we could get him to bed.  He is actually covering his ears in this picture because one of our smoke alarms' battery went dead, and he just hates the beeping noise it makes.  When we tried to get him into pajamas he would not let go of his ears to get his shirt off!  He kept saying, "No Daddy, I'm scared." in his sleep.  Too funny!

And just because I have to...  How do they grow so fast?  I look at him lately and I'm so shocked and proud of the boy he has become.  He's learning and growing so fast I feel like I can't keep up with him sometimes.  I can't express how much I love him, and what a big part of our family he is.  He's sort of the ring leader around here. :)  I love you my little Hayden!