Shark Week(end)!

My baby boy turned four yesterday. He and Wes have been doing this sweet thing where they have "sleepovers" in each other's beds on weekend nights and the night before Ori's birthday they camped out in his room. At about 6am yesterday morning I was lying in bed asleep when the sound of singing woke me up. It was Wes, in Oren's bed with him singing him Happy Birthday. Oren was quietly giggling as Wes serenaded him. The song ended and everything got quiet while I lay there, eyes closed, smile plastered across my face. A few minutes later I tiptoed in to check on them and they'd fallen back asleep together in a little heap. 

And now I ask you, how could I love anything more?

As always, each new birthday is bittersweet around here, but watching their excitement on the big day definitely helps make up for the heartbreak. This year Oren wanted a shark party, hammerhead to be specific. He's been way in to sharks for the last few months and even more so since our date to the aquarium so this party is all he's been talking about for the past few weeks. Also, this is the first year he's really been old enough to invite friends and having a few of his little buddies here made it all the more exciting for him.

Cheryl nailed this cake. With friends like her around I have no reason to ever make another cake myself as long as I live (which is just the way I like it). Look at those little hammerheads!

Abby and I made "shark fin" shaped peanut brown butter rice crispy treats and apple and berry hand pies. And by "Abby and I" I mean I come up with an idea and she does all the actual work. I have the best sister.

And how about these adorable cupcakes though? I asked Cheryl to fill them with strawberry jam so when you bit in to them it looked like blood! Mwahahahaha

^^^just a punch bowl full of blue gatorade y'all^^^

These pictures absolutely melt me. The infamous Miss Lori and Miss Tammi, everyone! How lucky he is to be loved by these two ladies.

and who doesn't need a little personal cherry pie to round out the day?

Mostly I'm just really, really thankful for everyone who helped with this party or took time out of their day to celebrate with us. And we owe a big (huge!) thank you to everyone for the cards, phone calls and messages we received yesterday letting our little guy know just how special he is and how many people are out there thinking about him. 

Here's to FOUR!

xoxo

(all the well executed photos by victor, all the average and sub par photos by me. thanks victor!)