Little J's 5th Birthday

A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY

A BOY OF DESTINY WAS BORN.

THIS JEDI MASTER RECENTLY CELEBRATED

HIS 5th BIRTHDAY...

THIS WAS HIS DESTINY.

Little J wanted to have a Star Wars themed birthday party this year, so that is what he had. What is funny is that he has only seen the last 3 episodes (the original) of Star Wars and has acquired most of his Star Wars knowledge from playing Lego Star Wars on the Xbox.

As his friends arrived, they all got to pick their "space craft" (spray-painted boxes with the end flaps cut off) and then design and decorate it at will. The day before the party I spent an hour spray painting our recycling collection of boxes and plastic containers gold for them to use as their accessories. They also had access to crayons, paper, straws, pipe cleaners, stickers - you name it! I was really impressed with how creative these kids were in designing their space ships. There were many added features like booster rockets and, of course, guns. They also had the opportunity to design their own droid. Several of them made little R2-D2s out of spray painted juice jugs.

Hard at work designing their space ships.

The Rebel fleet.

Little J was so funny opening his gifts. He'd rip them open to see what it was and before we could oooh and aaaah over them, he was on to the next. We gave him a Storm Trooper costume, a Lego Star Wars T-shirt and the soundtrack from Episode IV, which served as background music for the party.

Cupcakes with wavy sparkler candles were up next.

Then the final games. At Little J's request, we did a sort of "Easter egg" hunt for hidden Star Wars guys. Then we had our Jedi training:

Don't let the balloon touch the ground!

(Notice in this pic Little J is over the game and has moved on to check out his gift stash).

I can't believe Little J is already 5! Well, technically he isn't 5 until Wednesday, so I have a few more days, but close enough. I remember so clearly when he was born. With Big J, I had pushed for an hour and a half and had expected the same with Little J. But bless his little heart, he popped out after about 10 minutes and I was so grateful! As a baby, I would get so many comments on how beautiful he was. Strangers in the grocery store would come up to me and say things like, "I'm sorry, I just had to tell you that he is such a beautiful baby!" He was also my first introduction to what a good baby is.

Little J has always been my affection-loving one, wanting me to rub his back and cuddle with him. He can still be calmed by me holding him on my lap and rubbing his back. He definitely is my little firecracker, though! Little J has the most colorful personality I know. The way his mind works is a continual fascination and source of entertainment for me. I love the fire in him. I love the strength that his spirit has. Little J is a smart, kind-hearted boy and he is going to grow up to do great things.

Five years old! (Or in Little J's opinion, apparently he is 10).

I LOVE YOU, LITTLE J!!