the birthday, installment #2

What a special day for our family! As you can see in the video, Luke had a very small birthday party today and he loved it. I would have believed that to be impossible a year ago. I edited the video so I could hopefully post it, but in the longer version he says, "Mommy, I had some surprises today!" (And yes, Luke really likes this orange shirt and picks it anytime it's clean.)

We started talking about his birthday a few weeks ago. He asked that Annie, Durham, and Cooper come to his party. For the party he requested, "have some balloons, blow out candles, have smoke, eat cake, open presents." He was excited about the party, so excited that anytime we talked about he wanted it to happen that day, and was mad when we said it was later.

Then about a week ago, Luke's attitude began to change. I mentioned in the last post he kept saying "no birthday!" on his actual birthday, but warmed up to the idea of cupcakes at school and more cake presents that night.

Yesterday I brought up the party again and Luke was adamant he was not having a party. After about an hour of him saying, "Mommy, no birthday party!" every minute or so and me just saying "OK" or ignoring it, he came and got in my face and said, "Mommy! No birthday party! No balloons! No blow out the candles! No smoke! No eat cake! No open presents!"

I went to a seminar at Vanderbilt this morning. Lamar and Luke were going to pick up the balloons I ordered (clearly I ordered them prior to Luke's directive). I was getting ready this morning and Lamar came in the bathroom while Luke was watching TV in our bedroom. I quietly said, "The balloons are in my name . . . " and Luke yells, "NO BALLOONS! NO BIRTHDAY PARTY! . . ." and so on.

But we pressed on. Lamar and Luke picked up the balloons without incident, but Lamar left them in the car. I brought them in from the car when I returned from Vanderbilt. Luke saw them and said, "I have a birthday party!" He greeted his guests with enthusiasm and loved opening presents, the very generous presents from our good friends. This party would have only been possible with understanding friends. Because I knew there was a very real possibility Luke might meltdown and we'd have to disband.

But it was great fun, and I'm just so happy for Luke and proud of him. My prayer was we could bring him some joy as we celebrate this remarkable year he's had. I praise God for giving us a special day.

Present opening fun. This is a super cool t-ball set Luke's excited to try.

Checking out the puzzle.

My one planned activity, painting some pictures of birthday cakes. Yeah, I'm quite the party thrower.

He wore the party hat. Amazing. And this was a really good gluten free cake. Thank you Pamela's Baking Mix, now available at my neighborhood Publix. Seriously.

Loving the party blower thingy that Luke calls a "foof".

Thanks to Lisa for taking the pictures. Clearly I love them, as I've posted quite a few. It was a great day, and I'm thrilled for Luke and really glad it's over . . . until next year.