Gunnar's Party!

Gunnar's party started at 5:00 on Wednesday night, and wouldn't you know that the one year we have his party indoors...it was a beautiful day!

Every other year it's been windy and cold.

Oh well, this year he wanted to have his party at the fun park. But we started at our house with pizza. He invited his 2 little friends Owen and Amalia...so it was just Ashton and him and those 2 to start out.

Aunt Kelli had come down on Monday to stay, and Grandma came down for the day on Wednesday. It was so nice to have both of them there! I could not have finished Gunnar's cake without their help, and I was glad that the boys sat and talked to Grandma for a long time while she sat out on the trampoline with them. I know they loved having her there listening to them :)

I had baked the cakes the night before, and had planned to get going on decorating after I got Ashton to school, but Gunnar begged me to watch Rise of the Guardians with him, and I just couldn't resist...it was such a good show, and I would have much rather been snuggling with him on the couch anyway.

So after the movie, I hurried and got showered and Kelli fed him lunch, then took him to school and I finally got started decorating his cake at about 1:00, and finally finished it at 4:00!

It turned into a big project...

But I love how it turned out and so did Gunnar :)

He had requested a Super Mario Bros. cake...

 My helpers :) 

 

 I think it might be my favorite that I've made yet. I was getting pretty frustrated during the process and really thought that it wouldn't turn out at all, but once it was all put together it finally looked good.

Anyway...after I got it done, we got ready for the party and ate pizza when Gunnar's friends showed up.

Then they jumped on the tramp for a few minutes, and then we left for the FunPark. 

Gunnar wanted to do soft play, play token games and play lazer tag. But we only ended up having time to do the soft play for a a little while, then play some games and choose prizes. We all had lots of fun though...

Then it was back to our house to open presents and have cake and ice cream.
Presents first...

He got lots of fun new stuff...including 4 new Webkinz! 

Moving on to cake... 
Getting shy as we were singing to him...trying not to smile :)



Blowing out his candles...so fun since the wind did it for him on a couple of his birthdays!

With his Godparents...Tony and Angie :)

The cake was yummy!

After we ate that, the kids went out on the tramp and played a little longer before it was time for everyone to go home...I think it was a great

5th Birthday party :)

We have a 5 year old!

Happy Happy Birthday Gunnar!

March 28th is finally here :)

We actually celebrated his birthday yesterday and I will post about that next, but first I want to post about today and say that I'm actually glad we celebrated yesterday, so that he and I could just hang out and relax and play today.

I got up before he did (barely) and made him breakfast in bed...he loves it :)

 However he didn't eat very much of it, because he was way too excited to get up and play with all of his new toys from yesterday.

He was also excited to not have to do his chores on his special day.

So after we got Ashton off to school, he played his new Super Smash Bros. wii game for a little bit while I tried to get the house put back together after our party last night.

Then we played and played for the next few hours. First he wanted to take his new webkinz out on the tramp...

 Then we came in and put together his new toys from his Godparents Tony and Angie...they spoiled him again!

Then we spent a lot of time blowing up balloons and filling more balloons with water with this new balloon toy that Lars got him (and one for Ashton)...

Then we went outside to have our water fight :)

Finally I talked him into coming back in and we got out this fun gift from Grandma and Grandpa Harry...they have one from when I was a kid, that Gunnar loves to play with every time we go to their house, so I knew he'd be excited about getting one of his own.

Then he talked me into playing his new wii game with him...kind of fun :)

Then it was time for Ashton to get home and now they're outside making more water balloons.

I can't believe you're 5 Gunnar...it blows me away.

This was you just yesterday wasn't it?

And didn't you just barely take your first steps??



 I remember when Ashton turned 5...he sure seemed a lot older than you at that age. But I also remember that when I posted about his 5th birthday, I posted a list of the things I would most remember about his first 5 years. I want to do the same for you. So here goes:

 

I remember how you seemed so tiny for so long...I called you my little tiny for a long time.

 We spent a lot of time together as you were up every 2 hours to eat for pretty much the first year of your life. You have always loved to eat and still do.

I remember your first smile and your first laugh and how we've had a special connection from the very start. If anyone else was holding you, you would be looking around for me, like you wanted me to come get you.

 

I remember your adorable laugh and how easy it was to get one out of you, you've always loved to laugh.

I remember how you walked around on your knees for a long time before you really started to learn to walk on your feet...it was so cute. We'd call you Gunnar Kneewalker :)

 You talked pretty early like Ashton did and said some funny stuff. We loved how you called Ashton "Aggie" for a long time and were sad when you finally learned how to say his real name. Oh how you've always loved your big brother.

I remember how you've always just had a sweet spirit. You've always been concerned about others and if you have food you will share it and make a point of asking whoever is with you if they want some. And it really affects you if someone is sad, you hate to hurt other people's feelings.

 

You LOVED your binkies when you used to have them. I was so sad to take them away from you when you were 18 months old, but I was also so surprised when you forgot about them within a couple days!

 Along with them, you always LOVED your blankies...4 of them, you called your nigh-nighs. You've slept with them all every night since you were little.
 

I will never forget how most times when I would pick you up out of your crib, you would wrap your cute little arms around my neck and squeeze, like you were so happy to see me. I could always feel how much you loved me from the time you were very little.

I will always remember how everywhere we went, someone would comment on your red hair and tell me how cute you are.

I have to agree :)

 I rememeber when you first started to sprout freckles and how cute they were. And how you looked in the mirror one day and said "Mommy, I like my frettles."

And how could I forget how early you got up every morning until you were probably 3 1/2! We just got into the habit of coming out and laying on the couch and I'd turn a "kid show" on for you and try to go back to sleep while you squirmed all over me. I loved the days when you would actually fall back asleep on the couch with me. You are such a cuddler. Even now you want me to lay with you as you fall asleep every night and I love it :)

 

You aren't nearly as shy now, but from the time you were 2 up until recently you were really, really shy. At least around other people. Around us, you are a spaz! You have always loved dancing...we would have dance parties downstairs a lot of nights and you would get so silly!

And you have always made the funnies faces and just have the funniest facial expressions!

And the way you talk...you have the cutest little voice. You still can't say your R's and I know I'll miss it when you can.

 

And of course your love of chocolate and just sweets in general! You love treats :)

I will always remember dropping you off at preschool on your very first day and how you totally surprised me by going willingly and when I picked you up, you said "I didn't cry at all Mommy!" you were so proud of yourself and I was so proud of you. Even though I was sad you were already starting preschool.

 

These days you love Webkinz...your cute little stuffed animals. When I asked you what you wanted for your birthday, that was what you first told me and you had a hard time thinking of what else you wanted. At least 2 or 3 of them go with us everywhere we go. I love that you love stuffed animals just as much as I did when I was little.

 

I love how excited you get about things, and just your sweet innocent outlook on life.

You have had your naughty moments, but you are mostly such a good, sweet, happy boy and I am so so grateful for you every single day Gunnar. I have absolutely loved spending my days with you these past 5 years, and am glad that even though you'll be in kindergarten next year, it's only half a day :)

 

I guess I could go on and on and on...I have so many good memories of these 5 years. I love you so much Gunnar! We had such a fun day celebrating yesterday...stay tuned.