Josh's 5th Birthday Party!

Josh really enjoyed his birthday party!  He was so happy that so many of his friends could come and play.  There were about 20 kids that came to his party.  Luckily, the weather cooperated because it would have been crazy to bring them all indoors.  The party went amazingly well.  Thanks to lots of help from great friends, especially Mary Cat and John.  All the kids had so much fun playing, running around, jumping on the trampoline, playing soccer, and eating.  They especially thought the fondant, which they called "play dough", was so "cool" to eat.

Josh requested a "Cars Birthday."  Josh also requested a red and blue cars cake with three layers.  I decided to try making fondant for the first time.  It was fun, but so much work.  He loved his cake, thank goodness, because I spent well over 10 hours making it.  I made a yellow cake with lemon marsh-mellow fondant, and lemon cream cheese frosting (the frosting was the best part, it was too good).

John did a great job, entertaining all the kids!  He played with them for almost the entire party!   He's such a great dad!

Nate pondering about whether to go play with all those energetic kids.  He eventually ventured out, but mostly stayed by John, me, and the 2 little girls that came.  

Nate, my little buddy, following me around, and eating his cupcake as I take pictures.

After the party was over, we brought out Josh's big present!  A new bike.  He has been working hard to learn how to ride without training wheels.

Josh is such a great little boy.  He has grown into the sweetest, most thoughtful little boy.  He amazes me each day with his imagination, all the many things he creates, his high energy level, his love for work, his love for his family and friends, his love for primary and school, his love for reading.  I could go on and on, he loves to do anything and everything.  He is also quite the homebody, like his mom and dad.  He loves to stay home and play.  He also does love to get out, but if there is a day we don't have to be anywhere, he prefers to stay home and play.

A Moment About Josh I Never Want to Forget

Josh loves that he is 5 now and "so big and grown up."  If he could he would be driving the car.  This morning he really wanted cookies.  Out of his own will he decided that in order to earn cookies he would do some "work and be really nice and kind".  So he vacuumed the house, washed the dishes and loaded them in the dishwasher, swept and mopped the kitchen floor, cleaned his room, made his bed, organized his closet, encouraged Nate to help, and ate a really healthy lunch.  He actually did an amazing job!  Where did this kid come from?!  As a side note, Josh has been really wanted a baby brother or sister for a long time.  He kept saying, "I'm helping you with your work, so that you can get a baby in your tummy and so the baby and you can be healthy."  It was so sweet and thoughtful.  He definitely deserved cookies.  He was so full from lunch that he couldn't finish his whole cookie.