Birthdays and Bruises

Z's actual birthday is tomorrow, but we celebrated a few days ago. His desire was to have a Wii birthday with a RED theme. So, he invited family and his two best friends. His request was to have a Wii cupcake cake. Oh my...Safeway does not make Wii cupcake cakes! So this mommy got to make it! I asked him if it would be ok for me to go and buy a cake with red frosting if the Wii cake did not turn out. He said, "No, it will be just fine." "But what if I am too embarrassed," I asked. He then told me that I would have to hide in my bedroom. :) Well, it turned out ok so I didn't need to hide out this time. :)

When the boys first arrived everyone went online to make their own Mii (a computerized person that looks like them - or not)! They were able to print them out so we put them on their gift bags (which had a tin Wii remote with gum inside and other RED candies).

Then they began to complete a word search...a favorite activity for a few of Z's friends. I had them search for shades of red. It is amazing how many there are! Once the word search was completed, Z and his friends went on a scavenger hunt throughout the house looking for his gifts. It was so fun to follow them around with the camera. Excitement was in the air as they searched for the treasures while following the clues. It is also fun to watch your son get things that he has asked for. His grandma got this book for him that he has been drooling over at Barnes and Noble.

I love birthday cake pictures...especially those of the birthday boy blowing out the candles. I was thrilled to get him in action! I had a hard time counting out the ten candles to put on the cake. He can't really be that old already, can he? The picture in the middle is one of my favorites. Z had the cutest face while we sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Little B was enjoying it very much too! Too cute.

Once all of the adults had left, Z, his brother, and his friends played a Wii marathon. We ordered pizzas and played and played and played. This was EXACTLY what Z wanted to do for his birthday. I could not believe how well all of the boys got along while they played. I also couldn't believe how loudly they all talked...trying to be heard. :) Fortunately, I had some ibuprofen handy and they are such a polite group of boys.

The next day I took A and Z on a date to the batting cages. The slow baseball cage was not all that slow, but A was having some success in hitting them. Z had amazing form, but was missing each pitch. The more anxious he got, the closer he would move to home plate. I continued to encourage him to step back, but them a pitch got him...right on the finger. Oh my...there was so much blood! The whole nail turned black, but he could bend his finger...fortunately. So, we got some ice and a band aid and headed home. It is no longer throbbing, but it is still as black as ever. In the picture it looks like he has fingernail polish on his nail...nope, that is blood UNDER his nail. Ugh... What a great birthday present! I think that we will practice baseball in the park from now on. :)