Caden Turns 4!!
He is four! And he is damn proud of it. Actually he was worried about not being three anymore, but now he’s good with it. As parents we’ve been waiting for the Caden to turn four for awhile now. The three’s, really the tail end of his three’s, were not his best (to put it nicely) so we’ve been looking forward to what we’ve heard are the “fabulous four’s.”
Caden at four is really an amazing kid. He astounds us each and every day with what he can do, how smart he is and the things he says. He is very, very interested in learning and exploring new things. Caden can now write his name (they practice every day at school). He can read and spell “Caden, Jon, Molly & Mom” and is trying to learn more words. He has really mastered the days of the week and knows which state everyone lives in and where he’s been. He also is becoming very good at counting up to 20+, recognizes numbers and is starting to grasp the concept of addition and subtraction. Currently his favorite toys/games seem to revolve around trucks and construction. Trash day is his very favorite day of the week--we have gotten to know our trash man as Caden races out to see him each time--waving and watching. For his birthday he got not one but TWO trash trucks and he is THRILLED! He also loves to sing (some of his favorite songs to sing are Shot, Shot Shot! and Getting Tipsy-nice mommy), dance and speak his own language. In fact about 80% of the time you ask him a question he answers in mumble jumble. Caden is very, very, very strong willed and determined. Once he sets his mind to something or how something should be NOTHING will change his mind. We know this will serve him well later in life but currently its rather trying.
No matter, his birthday was awesome. With true Caden luck, his birthday fell the day after a snow and wind storm and a day before a second storm. Beautiful, clear, warm-ish and just perfect for all 50+ guests!
Of course, this day has been building up for some time (probably starting the night of his third birthday). We have been talking about what kind of cake, what kind of piñata, do we want it at home or somewhere else, etc.. We wanted to work out the theme so we could slowly plan for what would no doubt be another big birthday bash. Caden insisted it would be at home, mommy and daddy thought a bouncy castle at home would be a big surprise, and we were working out some sort of “truck” themed cake. And for reasons that are completely unknown, Caden wanted a whale piñata. So the theme turned out the be “Caden” (the bouncy house and decoration were Backyardigans themed).
The cake took some thinking. At first Caden wanted a front-loader tractor dumping dirt into a dump truck to be the cake. Of course Katy didn’t flinch and set out to make a 3D cake that actually moved dirt! We pondered this a bit and realized that may be too big a step from the firetruck cupcakes of last year (here) to the Ace Of Cakes plan we had this year. Fortunately, Katy came up with an even better idea: Construction Cake! The pictures will tell all.
The piñata is worth mention too. It has become a birthday tradition in ours and our extended family ever since we learned that Nick’s friend Raul’s dad is a piñata man (like piano man). His creations are a sight to behold. You will remember Molly’s moose (here); it was truly amazing. Almost life size. So naturally, we were concerned what the whale might turn out to look like. Would we be able to hang it? Would it take a truck to get to our house? Would we need a harpoon instead of a bat? It worked out, it only took 12 kids, three teenagers 2 near decapitations and one dead dog to break open.
The bouncy house was also a big hit. We found a great place that rents any kind of bouncy whatever you can imagine! We went with a big Backyardigans house (Caden’s and daddy’s favorite show). It filled half the yard and was a total blast. Caden bounced continuously from 8am to 7pm. Would highly recommend this for any kids or adult party.
Enough talk, here are the pictures! (ENJOY)
The Birthday Boy & His Backyardigans Bounce House