Birthday No.9 | Soaking It All Up


photo taken by Kim Ackerman

Number nine was a good one.

The celebration began with a visit to Simon's classroom on Friday.

Simon's teacher had him introduce all his guests to his classmates. He starts off with "This is Grandpa." and then moves on to "This is Chris." He goes around all the rest of us including me, "This is Ali." After he finished his teacher asked him if Chris and I had other names. He said "Dad" and "Mom" and then explained that the other kids wouldn't be calling us Dad and Mom so he was telling them our real names.

I also got a couple great shots of Simon at the front of the class while everyone was singing Happy Birthday.

After our school visit we headed back home to do some prep work for the party on Saturday: decorations, goody bags, wrapping, etc.

Grandpa and Anna looked at photos on Grandpa's computer.

When Simon came home he opened up a few of his gifts.

On Friday night we had dinner with all the Grandparents at a local Mexican restaurant. The waiters all sang Happy Birthday to Simon.

And on Saturday, from noon to 2pm our house was full.

It was so fun to have six of Simon's friends and some of their parents here for a couple hours. Pizza, cake, playing outside, chase, building lego mini-figures, opening gifts, chatting, etc. Some of my favorite photos are a line of kids along the kitchen counter all building lego mini-figures that were included in their goody bags.

When asked what his favorite part of his birthday was this year he said, "having my friends here."

Happy Birthday Simon - we love you so much and are so excited that you are nine!

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85 thoughts

  1. Marti Richards says…
    01/24/2011

    awww, Happy Birthday to Simon!! Looks like he had a perfect birthday weekend!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. JillT says…
    01/24/2011

    Thanks for the report! What a great weekend and what a super mom you are making it special for him!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Suz says…
    01/24/2011

    Simon,
    It looks like you had a rocking fun birthday! Man, how cool for your friends to each get a Mini Lego in their treat bag! Fun! Fun!
    Enjoy your new birthday gifts. I'll look forward to your mama posting some cute scrapbooking layouts about your Big #9 birthday in the near future.
    :-)
    Suz

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. noell says…
    01/24/2011

    Apparently, Grandpa is still Grandpa to the other kids! :) Love that.

    Love your photos, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jill says…
    01/24/2011

    I like why Simon explained about his parents' first names. He is a wise boy! I wish Simon a wonderful 9th birthday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Laney says…
    01/24/2011

    Simon is brillant, love that he introduced you as Ali, and then explained why!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Nicky from Canada says…
    01/24/2011

    So happy for that dear little boy!! Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Wendy says…
    01/24/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon!

    I'm so impressed with how your mom documents your birthday. Simply beautiful decorations, goody bags, cupcakes and cake and pictures. It made me smile to see it all. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Lisa says…
    01/24/2011

    Lucky boy! Your family seems so sweet, and your mom looks like she'd be a cool lady. I sure enjoy your blog. (Oh,,, and the scrapbooking is neat too).

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. BARB T says…
    01/24/2011

    How astute of Simon with the names! I really love the photo of Simon with his cake, really great.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Christina says…
    01/24/2011

    WOW, what a great celebration! I have been reading your blog for eight years and this birthday brought tears to my eyes. Simon has grown so much! He is an amazing and and wonderful boy and Chris and you are doing a great job raising him (and little Anna) Thank you so much for sharing so much with us. It makes me celebrate my everyday life, the good, the sad and some times the not so good.
    I loved all the pictures, cake (looks so delicious) and the decorations. Savour the moment!

    Happy 9th Birthday Simon.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Vickie says…
    01/24/2011

    Happy Birthday to Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Erin says…
    01/24/2011

    Love that cake holder-where did you get that at?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/24/2011

      Antique store :).

  14. Carol says…
    01/24/2011

    Thank you so much, Ali, for sharing Simon's birthday with all of us. What a terrific little boy you have, and obviously an awesome family. You created wonderful memories.
    CAS

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Amanda S. says…
    01/24/2011

    Such a sweet post -- so glad to hear that he had a wonderful birthday!! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Stephanie says…
    01/24/2011

    LOVE this post....I met you a few years back at Shari's wreath making party, my son turned 10 yesterday...Time goes so fast...Funny Kim was the director when Calin went to Newberry Preschool...Eugene is such a small world...Anyways, thank you for sharing.
    ~Stephanie

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/24/2011

      She is great :). We love her and her family.

  17. Amanda C. says…
    01/24/2011

    looks like an awesome celebration for 9 year old Simon boy!
    we love those mini Lego figurine collections... you never know what you're gonna get. fun!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/24/2011

      They were perfect for these kids :).

  18. Lida says…
    01/24/2011

    Happy Birthday, Simon.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Becky T. says…
    01/24/2011

    Happy Birthday, Simon! Enjoy your last year in single digits! I know it will be a good one. My son turns 10 in March, 9 is a great year!!! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. rhonda says…
    01/24/2011

    Simon, So glad you had a wonderful birthday and may all your wishes in your 9th year come true!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Leanne in CA says…
    01/24/2011

    Awewome! What a great time. Happy Birthday Simon!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Kim E says…
    01/24/2011

    Happy Bday Simon!! In the top pic, by the pepsi can, are those "learner chopsticks"? :) Love them! :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/24/2011

      They are - my sister-in-law gave them to us. They are great!

  23. redheadmomma says…
    01/24/2011

    Oh, I got tears in my eyes with the picture of Simon looking at his cake. Perfection. Happy Birthday Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Michele H. says…
    01/24/2011

    What an awesome celebration for Simon. So wonderful that he had an awesome time with family & friends.

    Love the connection between you & Simon in that last photo.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. madeline St onge says…
    01/24/2011

    Happy Birthday (again) sweet Simon.
    TFS all the great pictures Ali

    Reply 0 Replies

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