My baby boy is FIVE! As I sit down to ponder my thoughts on this big milestone in his life, my heart is full and I find my self quite emotional. I hope that I can put into words all of what is in my mind right now.
I don't usually get very emotional when his birthday comes around. We usually will just reminisce on how far he has come and the advancements he's made. Can you believe this is where he started? And these are some of the better pictures with less tubing attached.
This year, I have found out that a friend is going through a similar situation. However different or similar it may be, it has brought a lot of emotion to the surface and it just makes my heart ache for her and her family. I hope the best for them and their little boy!
I wonder sometimes how we made it through such a difficult time in our lives. It has not been an easy road to travel on, but it has definitely been worth every worry, every sickness, every hospitalization, every weird look, every stress. He is such a beautiful little boy. His laugh and smile bring so much joy to anyone he is around. I am so blessed to be the mother of such a special little boy.
I read a quote yesterday that has made the emotion come even closer to the surface as well.
I don't usually get very emotional when his birthday comes around. We usually will just reminisce on how far he has come and the advancements he's made. Can you believe this is where he started? And these are some of the better pictures with less tubing attached.
This year, I have found out that a friend is going through a similar situation. However different or similar it may be, it has brought a lot of emotion to the surface and it just makes my heart ache for her and her family. I hope the best for them and their little boy!I wonder sometimes how we made it through such a difficult time in our lives. It has not been an easy road to travel on, but it has definitely been worth every worry, every sickness, every hospitalization, every weird look, every stress. He is such a beautiful little boy. His laugh and smile bring so much joy to anyone he is around. I am so blessed to be the mother of such a special little boy.
I read a quote yesterday that has made the emotion come even closer to the surface as well.
"God doesn't give children with special needs to strong people; He gives children with special needs to ordinary, weak people and then gives them strength. Raising a child with special needs doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family."
I don't feel like I am any stronger of a person that anybody else. I have people tell me that they admire me for being a mother of a child with special needs and all that I am still able to accomplish. While this is positive and uplifting, I don't always feel adequate to be put up to this challenge and all that comes with it. Even though I try to put on a pretty good face, don't like to admit my weaknesses. I am stubborn, I am independent, and I don't like to ask for help. But this journey has made me realize that as much as I would like, sometimes I can't do it all by myself. And I am truly grateful for everyone that has helped me out in any way over the past 5 years. I really couldn't have done it without the help of some amazing family members and friends! Our Granty boy really has helped to make our family extra special!
WHEW!
Ok....enough boobing....and onto all the festivities.
It's hard to know what theme to do for Grant's parties. We always try to make it fun, and kind of try to think of what a normal boy of that age would like. While we toyed around with different themes like Ninja Turtles, or Sports, or Trucks, etc. we decided to stick with what we know he likes. ICE CREAM! That boy could eat ice cream all day long, well he would eat period all day long if we let him. He was really funny in the weeks preceding his party. If you asked him what kind of party he was going to have, he would respond with "mmmm". He was having a "mmmm" party. "mmmm" to him means food, or more specifically ice cream. It was really cute! So we just decided to set up an ice cream bar at the house and let everyone make whatever kind of ice cream cone, sundae, banana split, etc. they wanted. It was a simple party, but he had a great time.
Ok....enough boobing....and onto all the festivities.
It's hard to know what theme to do for Grant's parties. We always try to make it fun, and kind of try to think of what a normal boy of that age would like. While we toyed around with different themes like Ninja Turtles, or Sports, or Trucks, etc. we decided to stick with what we know he likes. ICE CREAM! That boy could eat ice cream all day long, well he would eat period all day long if we let him. He was really funny in the weeks preceding his party. If you asked him what kind of party he was going to have, he would respond with "mmmm". He was having a "mmmm" party. "mmmm" to him means food, or more specifically ice cream. It was really cute! So we just decided to set up an ice cream bar at the house and let everyone make whatever kind of ice cream cone, sundae, banana split, etc. they wanted. It was a simple party, but he had a great time.
The invitation
Once you pulled the scoops of ice cream apart, it revealed the details of the party. It read: "I scream! You scream! Grant screams for ice cream! Come help us celebrate Grant's 5th birthday! When: Sundae, January 31st Time: 7:00pm Where: Grant's house
Once you pulled the scoops of ice cream apart, it revealed the details of the party. It read: "I scream! You scream! Grant screams for ice cream! Come help us celebrate Grant's 5th birthday! When: Sundae, January 31st Time: 7:00pm Where: Grant's house
Grandma Dorene offered her lap as a seat for present time. He didn't want to sit in his chair to open presents. He was a wiggly little boy and kept squealing with excitement. It was cute to watch him and know that he knew it was HIS special day.
This picture shows a little bit of his excitement.
Great Grandma Gallier made him a quilt that was actually started by Great Great Grandma Ada Gallier about 55 years ago for Glenn, but never finished. A lot of the material is very old, but mixed with some new material as well. It's really warm and snuggly.
The ice cream bar-we had just about anything that you can think of that you would want on top of your ice cream. Sugar galore.
Grant's ready to dig in.
On his actual birthday, I took in some individual ice cream cups into his class to share with his friends. The kids were sure excited for their treat. Grant looks a little nervous in this picture. When I come into the classroom he thinks it's ok to fuss and cry. He is usually very calm and cooperative at school, as long as I'm not there. He wanted me to feed him the ice cream, not Miss Britt. She was a little sad that mom comes first before her. He normally wants his Miss Britt before anyone else. He loves her to pieces. Anyway...I only got this one picture before he started to freak out cause he wanted me to come feed him his ice cream. Demanding little boy! Good thing he's cute! 
Overall he had a fun filled few days celebrating his birthday. He got a lot of handsome clothes, treats, yummy snacks and of course...ICE CREAM! Thanks to everyone that helped to make his birthday extra special.
2 comments:
Good thing I just read this today because all I did was boo-hoo the day of his party and his actual birthday. I sure miss my Granty!
Happy Birthday Granty!! What a sweet, sweet, adorable boy! This was a beautiful post. I am amazed by you all the time, April. You ALWAYS seem to be completely on top of everything. I'm gonna go ahead and admire you, and you can't stop me.
I'm glad he had such an awesome birthday. Those invitations are the CUTEST! Love you guys!
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