Nat’s 4th Birthday!

For some reason, Nat’s birthday is the easiest to forget. I think partly because it’s in April and people are usually in full swing at their jobs and stuff. Samuel’s birthday is right after Christmas, and people are cognizant of that when they are buying gifts. Will’s too, except just before. And David’s and mine are close together in August. But Nat’s is all alone in April.

This year, the Riddles were in the middle of trying to sell their house (another post), so there was even more temptation to forego big parties. Will was actually out of town, in Cincinnati. But wouldn’t you know it, when the big day came, there was little Nat asking me, “When are the people coming over?” So I had to think quick!

Perceptive as usual, Nat was the first to ask me this question. The boys talk about their birthdays almost every day, so it wasn’t unusual for him to know that today, the day of three house showings, was still actually his birthday. What was unusual was that he expected the whole deal: cake, balloons, presents, and of course, a party with people. So with a little imagination, and a little flexibility around the house showings, we were able to plan a little celebration…

First, the “red balloon” he had been asking for, for days…

Then, the first house showing where we went out to lunch…

Mmmm… Papa Gino’s. Nat was a little upset about his runny cheese, but everyone seemed to enjoy the treat.

Then, the second house showing where we went to get the big surprise… some fish!

Everyone loved doing this. They didn’t even demand “Nemo” fish, which we couldn’t have gotten because clownfish are saltwater and that would have required a real aquarium with special equipment. I told the pet store guy that we needed fresh water fish that were easily portable (in case we moved), easily cared for (no aerators or anything), and wouldn’t die within a couple days (nix on the goldfish). So he said we needed Betta’s. For those of you unacquainted with Betta’s, you’ll learn that they eat each other! So you have to get divided tanks. Thus, our four little guys, each with their own space… our KIDS don’t even get their own rooms, so they are one spoiled bunch! =)

Each person got a fish so no-one was left out, and each of the boys named their fish. Mommy named Abigail’s. Can you guess who named which?

Ok, so the answers are: Samuel: Hamster; Nat: Shark; David: Fire; Abigail (Mommy): Hannah. Did you guess right? And each boy named their fish for very characteristic reasons. Samuel named his Hamster because he saw hamsters for the first time in the store and thought that was a cool word; Nat named his Shark because in actuality he really wanted a shark and was depressed when I told him not this year; David named his Fire because his fish was red; and Mommy named Abigail’s fish Hannah because we needed a girl fish. (Don’t think the Betta will be too depressed even though it’s technically a male!)

So that was the outing to the fish store.

For the third house showing, we went to the park. Sorry, no photos.
THEN, finally Nat’s “people” came over. We had Craig, who gave him a Thomas balloon. Gus and Velleda, who gave him a cool stamp set. And Nancy and Rendall and Taylor, who gave everyone a new book (Nat’s was a birthday book, obviously). The kids were thrilled. They partied like it was 1999.

And of course, the best part… cupcakes! Make a wish, Nat!