Izzy's birthday was awesome!!

It started out by having Izzy's breakfast of choice: doughnuts and chocolate milk. We gave him a beach bag filled with goodies for a day at the pool: toys, raft, sunscreen, sunglasses for him and his cousins, and some puppy-themed toys (his party theme). We met with my dad, my sisters, and my sister's husband and kids, then went to the pool where my SIL and her three kids joined us. We all swam, even though it was only about 60 degrees. Can we say frigid?? But Izzy had a blast! It was so wonderful to see pure joy exploding out of him. He'd jump off the steps, climb back up, and jump off them again. Over and over and over. Neither one of my kids has any fear of the water at all, which I know could be dangerous, but I'm glad they love it as much as I do.

On the way home, both kids fell asleep - woo-hoo!! Chris went and picked up charcoal, ice, helium filled Mylar balloons, and the birthday cake, then he helped me finish up the decorations right before Izzy woke up. He was thrilled when he saw the dining room. He looked all around, then he asked where the things were that he's been talking about all month: birthday cake? I pointed it out. Balloons? I pointed to them. Party hats? I pointed to the table. Birthday candles? There they are! It was the best feeling in the world to make all of his birthday dreams come true!!! I'm really relishing that feeling too, because it won't be long before the big dream is no longer a party hat.

He wanted to wear his puppy costume, so I dug through the bins in Sophie's room to get her matching puppy costume from Halloween. They looked so darn cute. Then my sister, Micki, drew puppy noses on all the party guests, adults included. When we sang Happy Birthday to Izzy, he covered his face in shy delight. As soon as we were done, he blew out his candles without prompting, just like he'd been doing it all his life.

He got some wonderful gifts from everyone, but his favorite was the chair that we gave him. It's such a cool chair!! It was one of the first things he opened, and he opened up most of the rest of his gifts while sitting in it. Even had us carry it into his bedroom so it could sit by him while he slept.

It was a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful day. Izzy was so happy all day long. That's what it's all about, isn't it? There's no feeling on earth that could possibly feel better than making your kids happy, and I think we succeeded beyond our (and Izzy's!) wildest dreams!

*NOTE* When Blogger isn't screwed up any more, I'll post pics too!