Eight Crazy Years

Once again this year, just like last year, Jed's birthday fell on the same day as the school Christmas parties.  I've learned to embrace the fact that Jed's birthday is just one week before Christmas - the two celebrations will inevitably always go hand in hand, why fight it? 

Here are some of the ways that Jed's special day was enhanced with an integration of the seasonal

traditions and his birthday celebration: 

Jed wore a Santa hat to school on his birthday! 

 It's not every kid who can say they did that.

Here he is making a gingerbread house with a bowl full of candy -

 take that district wide policy of no sugar in our schools!  It's Jed's birthday! 

(smiling with his classmate who looks as adorable as he does with both front teeth missing) 

picture by the fireplace with his teacher

Even Henry's class has a party on Jed's birthday!

- cookie decorating and reindeer bag-wrapped gifts 

 Then today after school we had Jed's party at our house
 - what better way to celebrate the season of sweets than with a chocolate fountain!
 We set it up in the garage because who would have

thought that ten kids, six different dunking foods,
 and one big dripping structure of melted chocolate would be messy??  

graham cracker sticks and marshmallows

gingerbread men and pretzels

strawberries and bananas

birthday presents wrapped in camo-paper

with a lovely silver bow!

photo of all the birthday guests in front of the Christmas tree

(with Christmas music playing in the background the whole party) 

instead of eight candles burning in the window -

a giant "8" candle! 

As our friends were leaving the party our family started arriving

for Jed's birthday dinner - more presents! (And see, I managed

to use birthday wrapping on all of his gifts except for one!)

Jed has been very excited for his birthday - he has barely talked about Christmas

at all.  He asked for (and received) a super cool Paper Jamz guitar and guitar strap

and amplifier - Instant Rock Star indeed! 

the talented Abbie made Jed a giant chocolate-chip cookie sandwich birthday cake -

the ice cream center melted a bit, but it was supremely delicious! 

Then, due to the fact that everyone is leaving town for the Christmas holiday, we

had our family gift exchange immediately following Jed's birthday gift opening-

Jack tries out Grandpa's new sound cancelling headphones 

Books for everyone! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! 

Jed poses with his Paper Jamz guitar and Amp -

Yes they are made of paper! (cardboard) and

yes they really work! (make a convincing amplified guitar noise)

Happy Birthday to Jed, that other special baby 

whose birth we celebrate in December!