Jacob has been counting down to his birthday ever since Christmas! He was so excited when Lydia was born in May so that he didn’t have to share his birthday month – HAHA!
This month has been full of transition as we have become a family of six {WHAT?!} and so I was really excited to give Jacob a day just for him.
I got up early {well, earlier than I have been!} and got going on Jacob’s birthday breakfast. He picked waffles with buttermilk caramel syrup, fruit, breakfast sausage, and orange juice. I loved seeing his face when he came out of his room and saw the decorations for his special day.
Breakfast was delicious and Jacob was beaming the whole time. We all got ready for the day and then waited for family to arrive to start Jacob’s birthday party.
Jacob had requested a Winnie-the-Pooh party and I was so happy to give it to him. More on my thoughts on that later.
Grandpa and Grandma, Grammy, and Aunt Melina all came over to help us celebrate Jacob’s big day.
We started off by making “honey pots” to plant some flowers in. The kids LOVED this. Jacob loves anything crafty and was so excited to paint his pot.
I asked Jacob what he wanted to do next and, of course, he asked to open presents. So presents it was!
This last year we have been trying to be a lot more thoughtful about the presents we give and it felt so good to see the happiness in Jacob’s eyes about his gifts. Jacob loves to imagine with his stuffed animals and so we got him a Pooh Bear to add to his collection – along with a Winnie-the-Pooh cookbook {because he has been dying for me to teach him how to cook!}. I am so excited to be able to spend some quality time together in the kitchen!
Jacob got so many other wonderful gifts and we are so grateful for the kindness of our families.
After we opened presents, I sent the birthday party on an “expotition” to our neighborhood park. My Mom stayed behind with me to snuggle with Lydia while I put together lunch.
Once everyone got back we had our Hundred Acre Wood picnic followed by Jacob’s birthday cake and ice cream. I discovered many years ago that I can make some really good-tasting cake but cake decorating is definitely NOT my thing. I wish it was and sometimes I forget and try to get ambitious and ALWAYS regret it.
I tried to get crafty and found a vanilla honey cake with honey buttercream frosting online and thought it would be so fun for our Pooh Cake. It was kind of a flop in my book, and I was really glad I grabbed some ice cream to go with the cake.
BUT….
Jacob loved it and so that’s all that really matters!
After that the party started to fizzle down while the kids played with toys and family started to leave. We had some great down time and then Mark took Jacob and Sarah to the theaters to see Toy Story 4. They loved it and were so excited for the surprise!
Once the movie was over they came home and picked up Benjamin, Lydia and I to go out to dinner. Jacob picked to go to IHOP and it was such a sweet night. It was our first outing OUT with Lydia and as I was walking back to our table after taking Sarah to the bathroom I was just overwhelmed with love for my family.
I couldn’t believe that sitting there was my family – four beautiful, healthy, and happy children and an amazing husband who is so supportive of each and every one of us. We have been so blessed and we are so grateful.
Here is some fun info about our big seven-year-old boy!
- What is your favorite thing to do?: Play with my stuffed animals
- Do you have any nicknames?: None
- What do you want to be when you grow up?: A veterinarian
- What is your favorite thing to do with family?: Sing I Am a Child of God
- What makes you happy?: Hugging Snow {his favorite stuffed animal}
- What do you like to learn about?: Math
- What do you do really well?: Color
- If you had a million dollars what would you buy?: Stuffed animals of the other members of the Hundred Acre Wood
- What is your favorite thing to do outside: Play on the swings
- If you could go anywhere where would you go?: Walmart {WHAT?!!!!}
- If you could have one wish, what would it be?” To have Pooh and Snow be real bears.
- What was your favorite birthday present?: Star Wars Legos
And here are some of his favorites!
- Food: Blueberries, apples, and carrots
- Holiday: Christmas
- Book: Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
- Toy: Stuffed animals
- Treat: Lollypops
- Song: I Am a Child of God
- Animal: Bears
- Movie: Finding Nemo
- Color: Orange, green, and blue
Jacob is such a great kid. Being the oldest isn’t always easy and sometimes I have to remind myself that he is still a little kid too. With that said, he is a great big brother. He truly loves his brother and sisters. They are his best friends and I love that.
He is very creative and artistic. I am amazed at the things he creates. He is very content to do arts and crafts projects and I love that about him.
I feel like Jacob has gotten a lot more imaginative this last year. I never really heard it make up stories before and it has been really fun to see him use his imagination more this year.
It has also been really amazing to see Jacob’s growth in reading. He is beginning to read small chapter books and it is really wonderful to see that new world open up to him.
Jacob’s favorite book is Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne. We have read them so many times. When I asked Jacob what theme he wanted for his birthday he immediately replied with Winnie-the-Pooh.
I love that about him.
I love that he connects with Christopher Robin. That he wants to stay in that land of make believe. I am dreading the day when Jacob grows up and forgets about all of his hundred acre wood friends.
“…wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place, on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.“
A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
Thank you for being YOU. We love you, Jacob.
