S for Spencer

On May 10, Spencer turned four. It is still hard to believe that he is four, in the last year he has come so far in his development and speech; the preschool program that he is in has helped a lot. He still has issues with large groups or unfamiliar places. If he is faced with a large group of people or a group activity with lots of kids/people he immediately draws to a corner to stay.

This was the first year that Spencer understood what birthday was and so it was fun for us because every little thing we did he would get excited and say "for me, for my birthday." At breakfast we all sang happy birthday and at school you get a special birthday ribbon when it is your birthday. At Spencer's school you are not allow to bring a birthday treat to share with the class, but since he is in preschool and they have snacks you can bring snacks to share with the class. I decided to treat the class with fruit snacks to go along with the usual cracker snacks that they have. After school I took Spencer to get his birthday lunch and birthday balloons. When he saw his balloons he was jumping up and down with excitement, especially the balloon with his name. After lunch it was time for me to make his cake. Spencer loves the letter "S" and loves to point it out wherever he goes "S for Spencer" is what he always says. So we thought it would be fitting to make a letter "S" as his cake and in true Spencer fashion he chose purple as the icing color-the kid loves purple (both of my boys love the color purple). Also to celebrate Spencer, I used candles that spelled out Happy Birthday because Spencer has a fascination with letters. With the letter "S" cake with purple frosting, covered with his favorite M&M's and letter birthday candles Spencer was having a hard time resisting the urge to "explore" his cake. I quickly finished the decorations and put the cake in place and then Daddy was home and it was office for buffet pizza (Spencer's choice). After dinner we all came home and sang happy birthday to a boy that was smiling from ear to ear, watched as excitedly blew out each candle one by one and then there was dead slience as we were all enjoying the yummy cake. After cake it is only natural to open presents, and keeping in true Mommy fashion I didn't wrap them and once again Spencer didn't mind. I ususally have the kids go on a treasure hunt to find their presents, but Spencer hasn't reached the age to trully appreciate the treasure hunt or to understand it, so maybe next year.

Grant has a white hat that the kids made him one year for Father's Day, but Spencer seems to take it whenever Grant tries to wear it. Spencer justifies his decision because on the hat is Spencer's name. Grant decided that he was going to make Spencer his own white hat with his name on it. Grant put a big letter S on the front with Spencer's name written on the back. I made Spencer a super Spencer cape because he is always asking us to tie his blanket so he can be Super Spencer. We rounded out the homemade gifts with a foam sword and shield, and foam bath letters to make bath time even more fun. I had some games planed after the gifts, but when Spencer saw his cape and hat with sword and shield he took over the entertainment. He immediately put the hat on with his cape, got his shield and sword in place and proudly proclaimed "Super Spencer to the rescue." Anthony and Madeline joined in the fun with their swords and cape and had an epic battle out in the backyard.

I think Spencer had a great day and I think he felt loved by his family from the gifts, money, cards, and phone calls all wishing our special four year old a Happy Birthday. For me the best part was to sit back and watch Spencer enjoying his special day and understanding for the first time how magical birthdays are.