Happy Birthday Jacob!! Twice.

It would seem that our little NOW 8 year old is a smart little stinker.  He got 2 parties this year because we had to do his party early for friends so that people could come.   He begged us to do a friend party after us closing on our house on his b day last year.  We had a super modest family get together for him last year and the few years prior so we decided he could have 5 friends join him at a fun place for a birthday celebration.  Jake chose Chuck-e-Cheese as the site for his birthday "Blow Out".  I ordered pizzas, drinks, and tokens for each kid and decorated the tables with balloons and table covers.  Jake was on overload with his friends from school as they ran around Chuck-e-Cheese with total abandon.  Jake got to be the center of attention for 2 hours as he played and socialized with his all boy group.  Each of the kids (Luke, Braxton, Linus, Roman, Kyle and his brother Ricky) brought fun gifts for Jacob that showed everything a little 8 year old is into (beyblades, ninjago, legos, etc).  Jake's head was spinning as he opened each one and his profuse thank yous and hugs made everyone smile.  We did cupcakes and presents and Aunt Katie and Grandma got to join the fun.  Ricky loved having them to watch him play games and win.  The whole afternoon was pulled together by Jakie's long dreamed about turn in the official ticket blaster machine that allows a kid to get in and try to catch as many tickets as they can.  Jake put on a coat so he could have more places for them to land and dove around furiously in search of the coveted red ticket that is worth 1000 tokens.  he got about 2500 tokens worth of tickets for which he got to get a great dollar store (smirking) Nerf gun.  I guess the experience was what was worth it all right?  

 

We followed his chuck-e-cheese party done on Dec 1st with a small family party on his actual birthday that included just Mom, Dad, Ricky, Aunt Katie, Grandma Shumway and later that evening Uncle Cam and his girlfriend Kara.  It was simple but we did another cake, made his requested meal of Chicken drumsticks and macaroni and cheese.  We opened the last few family gifts that the Hutchins side of the family sent for him and opened a few that The Shumway side had saved as well.  Jake loved all of his gifts and felt so special.  I wouldn't do 2 parties every year but they were modest and he loved them.  It was fun to witness his sweet smile and genuine thank yous.  Love you baby!  Happy 8th B-Day.  It is a wonderful day every year!