Birthday No. 9 | The Invitations

On Friday Simon will be 9 years old.

On Monday night I created some invitations for him to give to a couple of his friends at school.

I printed the No.9 design on white cardstock, adhered the front piece with the number and the inside piece with the party details back to back with adhesive (could have done back to back printing if I'd left myself more time and patience) and he hand-wrote a message inside each one that said, "would you like to come to my birthday party?"

After he wrote messages on the inside he put each child's name on the outside of the envelope, licked it, and sealed it shut with his hands.

We bundled them up and he took them to school with him yesterday.

He reported back that all were delivered except one. He's not sure where that one ended up.

Yesterday I ordered 35 chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and multi-colored sprinkles to take to his class on Friday (per specific request). We've done this for the last couple of years and he really loves having a bunch of his family come see him at school. Last year both the Grandmas were able to come. This year both the Grandmas and the Grandpas will be there.

Here's how happy he was to see Grandma in his class last year:

On Friday night the Grandparents will all be here for a dinner and cake gathering.

On Saturday we hope some of his friends (about five kids total) will be able to come over for pizza, more cake, and merriment.

I'm thinking about trying the cool number cake that Martha showed in the Number Themed Party article (January 2011) for the Saturday party. I'll let you know how it goes.

As we get ready for the annual festivities I feel like this is a good time to say THANK YOU. Thank you for all the support you've shown Simon (and our family) over the years. Thank you for the encouraging words, the suggestions, the heartfelt emails and comments, and for simply rooting for him. Your support is felt and greatly appreciated. He is one super special kid.

Go Simon Go!

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161 thoughts

  1. Kristyn says…
    01/19/2011

    an early "Happy Birthday Simon!" wish. enjoy your special day at school and your party on the weekend!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Kay Gregory-Clark says…
    01/19/2011

    Neat to have Simon's involvement. I can't believe he's 9 already! Ali, what is the font you used for the "9"? I know you've used it quite a bit and I also love the way you crop numbers and letters so part is off the page. Enjoy the party and give Simon (and Anna) a hug!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Kay Gregory-Clark says…
      01/20/2011

      I love it, but that's a little too pricey! Is there something comparable that doesn't break the bank (mine, anyway)?

    2. Ali says…
      01/19/2011

      It's from a collection called Numbers - the font is Depot. http://www.typography.com/fonts/font_overview.php?productLineID=100018

  3. madeline St onge says…
    01/19/2011

    Go Simon!
    He is a cool Kid Ali. You have done a wonderful job with him.I can't believe is 9 though, he was just a little peep not long ago

    Happy, Happy Birthday Simon

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. kristina p says…
    01/19/2011

    happy birthday simon.

    God bless you dear, Ali and your whole family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Johanna says…
    01/19/2011

    So I just had this idea how neat it would be to have one invitation given "in the family" (either to the birthday kid itself, or a sibling, or a parent) to have one of the precious invites as a real keep-sake. Are you including one in your PL?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/19/2011

      Definitely going to put one in PL.

  6. BARB T says…
    01/19/2011

    Have a very happy birthday, Simon. Surrounded by family and friends it is bound to be wonderful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Reneecrops says…
    01/19/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon from Pennsylvania. You did such a great job writing your invitations you should be proud. PS - Hug your parents for the special things they do for you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. joni possin says…
    01/19/2011

    I love the simplicity of the invitations... so attractive! Crisp and clean. I wish Simon another wonderful year!! You are both such great parents!!

    Ali, I was wondering... what blogs you go to FIRST. I make my Chai Tea, head for my computer, and pull up your blog. Then I check mine for comments. Where do you go?

    Happy Birthday week!
    Joni Possin

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/19/2011

      Hi Joni - good question. Here's a few of my recent favorites I find myself visiting regularly:

      Shutter Sisters: http://shuttersisters.com/
      Design Sponge: http://www.designspongeonline.com/
      Be More With Less: http://www.bemorewithless.com/

  9. Lisa Walters says…
    01/19/2011

    Oh my goodness....9 years old already!!! Oh how it does fly. My youngest is 16 yrs. Those cards are adorable. Have a wonderful birthday Simon.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Amanda C. says…
    01/19/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon! I have loved watching him grow up on your site. What a great boy. Can't wait to see his cake. love your number theme this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Theresa says…
    01/19/2011

    HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY # 9 TO SIMON!!!! LOVE FROM THERESA IN MIAMI

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Catherine Aguilera says…
    01/19/2011

    Ali,
    What a wonderful post, you touched my heart. I want to thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey and sharing in Simon's challenges and triumphs. Indeed he is a special boy with, I might add, special parents.
    Have a fun filled week celebrating your boy.
    Catherine

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. abbeyviolet says…
    01/19/2011

    My son's 4th birthday is tomorrow and I always enjoy seeing you all celebrating at the same time. Hugs to Simon and your family. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Liz Ness says…
    01/19/2011

    LOVE this (love seeing your mom and Simon together, too -- such perfect joy)! Also, between the cool Martha Stewart number cake and the cards, Simon is going to have a stylin' party! =)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Liz Ness says…
    01/19/2011

    PS: I just have to know.... What is that COOL number font? I just purchased a font book with a bunch of retro fonts -- too cool. Seems I must have a new habit in the making, some sort of strange number font love habit! LOL!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      01/19/2011

      Hi Liz - it's from a set called Numbers. Depot is the name: http://www.typography.com/fonts/font_overview.php?productLineID=100018

    2. Liz Ness says…
      01/19/2011

      Ah! Yes, I was looking at that set the other day -- totally yummy!

  16. ELLIE says…
    01/19/2011

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMON - I hope all your wishes and dreams come true~!~

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Wendy High says…
    01/19/2011

    YAY! Happy Birthday Simon! Love that picture! So sweet!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Pam says…
    01/19/2011

    Happy Birthday, Simon! It's been quite a journey watching him grow through your blog. He's becoming a wonderful person. You and Chris have been a very important part of who he is.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Hajira says…
    01/19/2011

    Happy Birthday,Simon! It's been wonderful to watch your journey from a small child to a wonderful sweet boy and beyond!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Michelle M. says…
    01/19/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon! I so enjoy reading your blog every day and learning more about you and your life. Thank you for sharing it with us!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. carrie says…
    01/19/2011

    Simon - you did such an awesome job writing those invitiations for your friends! I hope you enjoy your birthday and those chocolate sprinkle cupcakes,,,yummy!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Nicky H says…
    01/19/2011

    Happy Birthday, Simon! I hope you have a wonderful day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Pam S. says…
    01/19/2011

    Wow, I hadn't thought about how long I've been following your blow! I get a lot of inspiration from your posts. I must have found your blog when Simon was around 5 or so I'm guessing. My youngest is 5 now. It's bittersweet watching them grow. Sometimes I wish we could rewind. That's why your inspiration means even more -- capturing those simple everyday moments. I've made it a goal to do more of that! So thank you, Ali! Thanks for your inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Lynsey says…
    01/19/2011

    Happy birthday, Simon!

    I started reading your blog just before Simon's 7th birthday and Anna's birth. I've loved seeing them grow up over the past two years.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Yolanda says…
    01/19/2011

    9. Nine. The last year in single digits. Wishing Simon a happy, magical, and Lego-filled birthday.

    Reply 0 Replies

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