birthday number nine

I love this fella. I can hardly believe that he is now nine years old! And like many nine year olds, he loves Legos. Not a day goes by that I don't find at least one stray Lego brick somewhere in our house. As a matter of fact, I can see one right now on the kitchen counter. When I asked what theme he wanted for his birthday, I was not surprised to find that he want a Lego theme. So, like so many others, I started pinning ideas.

I found this banner idea here. I downloaded a Lego font, then colored around each letter with a yellow marker and then cut around the yellow to give the letters the yellow border. I then pasted them on red cardstock and threaded them onto black ribbon.

Before we moved, I found these candies at my favorite bulk food shop. I went ahead and bought them for the party. You can even snap them together!

I decided to use them as cupcake toppers. I think they are so cute!

Now, for a dose of reality. I was so excited when I found this cake idea on Pinterest. Click on the link for the full effect. Now, here is my version of said cake. People, it was hard. I don't know if I just become incompetent when icing is set in front of me or what, but my cake did not turn out like the photo in that link. But, you know what? I asked Larkin to come look at it and he was so excited. He told me it was awesome. And that is good enough for me.

Plus, it tasted great. The lesson here, moms? If it makes your child happy, then you have accomplished your goal. Don't be hard on yourself if your cake wouldn't fly on Cake Boss.

I really did try to get some shots of Larkin opening his gifts, but there was such a frenzy, I could hardly get near him. When I was finally able to get down on his level, I sat right down into a drink that someone has spilled. Good times. I love how excited all the kids get, even when it isn't their party!

All in all, it was a great day. Larkin was surrounded by people who love him and wanted to celebrate him.

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