Happy 4th Birthday Caden!

I know it's cliche, but Caden is growing up so fast! It's been an amazing thing to watch him grow and still bring us joy every day. We feel so blessed to have such an incredible kid - we love you SO MUCH Caden!

His grandma also brought him so many presents that we had to spread them out over the week leading up to his party. The flight suit (BIG) and matching helmet, complete with patches from Jeff's fighter squadron was a big hit...

Scooters have been a popular thing, especially with the bigger kids in the neighborhood. And Caden of course had expressed his interest. Wade and I talked about it though and decided that he was still too young and they are too dangerous. That is until Grandma came, and Jeff and Katie bought him a scooter for his birthday. And Wade, out shopping with them, "forgot" our discussion - go figure. Oh well, I guess the kid shouldn't be denied that kind of indulgence just because we moved 9,000 miles away!

The day of his party was much anticipated. Wade had of course made all the arrangements with the party planner, and I have to say -- WOW! It was quite a production.

The set up alone, with the welcome sign, popcorn machine, fishing game, butterfly game, face painter, hanging airplanes and fighter plane cutouts and background...and of course the bouncy jumper, had Caden pretty happy. So much that I figured if none of the 50 odd people invited came, he would still have a great time.

But where there's a party, there's a crowd in Bangalore! I was astounded at how many people came and how fun it was - it is one of the great things about his school and neighborhood that there is such diversity and so many kids.

The party planner also did a bunch of games with the kids that were a lot of fun to watch and the kids really seemed to enjoy. And I thought how much easier my job is than getting 20 some little kids to follow directions and stay engaged.
I took a break to visit the face painter and get my "mom" tattoo...
And then it was time for cake. A big deal here in India, and the kid gets to cut it, and is then fed a piece by the parent. It was a bit of a flash-back to his first birthday, where he similarly not interested in eating the cake. I'm not actually sure he's mine...except that he looks so much like Wade...
And to cap it all of, there was of course the airplane shaped pinata filled with candy...

It was a super fun party and Caden cleared more presents than I thought possible, taking us several days to open them all. Hopefully he remembers it as the party of his lifetime, as I'm not sure what we could possibly do to top it. Luckily we have 11 months to think about it...but I'm sure they'll fly by!