Ahoy Mates! Let's Celebrate!

The night before Eli turned 4, I was laying in bed with him, begging him to stay 3. He said, "I'm sorry Mom, I don't know how, but I just keep growing." Like him, I'm amazed at how this year just flew by, but I loved every minute of my 3 year old and will love every minute of his 4th year. He wanted a pirate party this year (is that like a rite of passage for this age? Seems like they all want pirate parties). These are some of our mateys that joined us, I had to invite some ladies for Brynn but I thought it was funny how they split up, even at this age!

Per tradition, I let the birthday boy pick the menu. It doesn't vary much each year...this year it was wrapped lil smokies, veggie straws, grapes and oranges.
We had a treasure hunt for the goody bags (a few pirate necessities tied up in a paper bag)

We walked the plank

This is the cake I made this year, thanks to FamilyFun.com for the how to. It was by far the easiest cake I've made for a birthday. Definitely going the easy cake route from now on. It's always the biggest stress and you know what? The kids never care!

Singing happy birthday to Eli. I love the little look he is sharing with his cousin Lily, too cute!

Blowing out the candles, which turned out to be trick candles! Whoops! Pretty entertaining and then frustrating for a bunch of 4 year olds.

yum, yum cake. Here's an Eli fact: He prefers vanilla over chocolate. But if chocolate is offered and there isn't a vanilla choice, he'll still take it.

The kids always love a pinata and the best part for me: I used all our leftover Halloween candy (sshhh don't tell my kids) to stuff it!

Eli's present from me, Jake and Brynn came in the mail after the party...what could it be??

A Playmobil pirate ship! That sucker took Jake and I an hour and a half to put together. But it is sooo awesome. I see why people love Playmobil.

Happy Birthday my sweet son! My life would not be the wonderful adventure it is without you. I love playing cars, airplanes and of course pirates with you. I love all our endless conversations, putting puzzles together, going on walks, teaching you how to cook and color and count. Every single thing about you is precious to me, even the tantrums and the "5 more minutes Mom!," because I know it's all fleeting and I'll take every moment I can get. Love you Eli!