Catching up part 2: Mosey's birthday!

Mosey's birthday celebration actually started the Monday before, when he was recognized at his preschool. Every Monday they have "Chapel" where all the preschool kids, age 2-5, come and sing songs, hear a bible story, and celebrate birthdays. Here he is with his friend, Jack, who has a birthday the exact same day!

I also discovered that the party I had planned for Mosey, and had sent invitations to school for on that very day, was scheduled for the exact same time as Jack's party. He also had sent invitations to school. Oops!
So I called his mom and basically invited ourselves to have a joint birthday party for the two of them at her house. How tacky am I?
But it turned out fun. Mosey had wanted to have a "stuffed animal party," and Jack was having a "wild west party." So we told all the kids to bring a stuffed animal, and get ready for a wild west time!
The day before the party was perfect. 75 degrees, sunny, just beautiful. Of course that night, a cold front blew in, and the next morning it was cold! It was probably in the 50s during the party. Chilly! But at least it wasn't raining, since the activities were all outside.
Jack's mom used to be a party planner, and she did a really good job. The decorations were adorable and she had fun games. At the end of the party, just before cake and presents, we played a stuffed animal game. All the kids put their stuffed animal in a pile and then we blindfolded the kids one by one and they had to find their own stuffed animal in the pile.


Here's the new 5-year-old!


I know I'm biased, but I sure think he's cute.



Mosey requested a "cat cake," so here it is! Thanks to my sister-in-law Christine for decorating tips. It was strawberry cake with a strawberry jam filling and buttercream frosting.



When Jack's mom asked Mosey what piece he wanted, he said, "The head!" So he got the whole head. Nope, he didn't manage to eat it *all,* but he gave it his best shot.



Jack's mom made these adorable signs hot-gluing narrow rope on foam board. It must have taken her forever.


She had a bale of hay and saddle for the kids to "ride."



Here's Mosey in front of the rope signs.


Lassoing a deer head (not real).


Mosey riding on the hay-bale horse. There was also a "panning for gold" station where the kids searched for chocolate coins in a galvanized tub of sand, a shooting gallery where they threw beanie babies to hit tin cans, plus a trampoline and swingset in the backyard. She had tons of cute and clever details, like this over the table with drinks:

Anyway, it was really fun. We were in charge of "loot bags," and gave candy, playdough, and a Target dollar-spot stuffed animal.


Here I am with Jack's mom.
We stayed to help clean up, but honestly that was the least effort I've ever put into a party for my kids. Yep, it pays to have a joint party with a party-planner!


When we got home, it was present time from Mosey's brothers and parents.



His brothers got him movies-- Wall-E and Cats and Dogs. He was *thrilled* about Wall-E.



Love his expressions. That's the kind of reaction you want when you give a present!



He also got a scooter! Joseph and Brigham each got one for Christmas, I didn't think Mosey was old enough. But he was doing pretty well on his brothers' scooters and really wanted one for himself. He's done great on it!
He also got a Target gift card from grandma and a stuffed animal dog of his very own to be friends with the one he gave Ben for his birthday.


That night we rounded off the day with a trip to CiCi's pizza buffet, one of Mosey's favorite places.

So my boy is now a big five-year-old! Hard to believe.