Well, this year, we tried to ease down in the amount of parties and guests and gifts we spent on our children on their birthdays. James's is the last one in the year, and by the time his birthday came I had lost all discipline and restraint. I was ready for a full blown excitement. Since we had decided this year we wouldn't have a party with friends for any of our kids, I had to be careful and work around those constraints.
The night before James's birthday, we took the kids to nearby town and rode the train of lights, a water-down version of the Polar Express (book and movie). All my kids were excited, but James was thrilled to start celebrating his birthday on board a train. It helped that we were accompanied by a bunch of friends. The kids had hot chocolate, met Santa, and walked up and down the train enjoying the lights and decorations that each car displayed. Being together with friends and family made this excursion very enjoyable.
On the day of the birthday, by James's request I bought some fresh doughnuts, and took them to his class. His class mates sang to him 'Happy Birthday,' and then he and I took off; we had a fun day planned.
To start off, James and I were going to attend a Christmas play together, The Biggest Gift. He was very touched and excited that I had planned to spend the whole morning with just him. James loved the play and the characters, and after the play was over he went to greet them each individually, reserving a picture for Rudolph, and of course Santa.
After the play, we had some delicious lunch in a restaurant of James's choice. He did even have the waiters sing to him "Happy Birthday," which act made James very happy and grateful. We had a good time talking and discussing his likes and dislikes, favorite things and of course he couldn't stop talking about our upcoming Georgia trip. My sweet Southern boy!
When we got home, his brothers and sister couldn't wait to play with him and make him feel special. They told him that he could be king for the whole day and that they would obey his every command. I prepared the cake, and Elijah made the peppermint icing. While the cake was cooling, we had dinner, and then open presents. James got a toy rifle from his brother Jefferson, a digital camera from his sister, the game Twister from his brother Charlton, and a bow and arrow from us. He received a lot of nice gifts, cards and money from various extended family members. James loved all of his toys and was grateful for everyone of them.
We waited till the kids had tried on all of the fun gifts, and then sang to James 'Happy Birthday." The cake was delicious, my James was happy, and love was in the air.
My loving James is an amazing boy. He is obedient, loving, attentive, friendly, thoughtful, sweet, kind, generous, fair, and a peacemaker. He shares intelligent comments, loves to play the piano, does his best in cross-country running although he was one of the youngest, strives to be obedient to the gospel principles, and he takes the harmony in our family very seriously. He is a good friend to all of his siblings and always responds with "How can I help you mother?" or "Yes, mother, right away."I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for blessing my life with this special little boy. I have a nickname for each of my kids, and James's is 'angel,' because he looks and acts like one.
Happy Birthday, James! May the Lord be your guide throughout your life.
