Sawyer’s Sixth Birthday Celebration
Birthdays are a huge deal in our world. Especially when you son turns six years old!
I tried to put a spell on him to keep him little forever but I guess I failed. He is growing up. Somedays it feels like it’s happening overnight.
The day started very, very early. 4:30 AM to be exact. Cooper decided it was time to start the day.
So, I used that time to blow up balloons and decorate Sawyer’s door.
After that we headed to hockey practice and to have doughnuts at a local grocery store. Sawyer’s choice.
My boy loves doughnuts!
Cooper isn’t quite ready for the hockey rink yet so he stayed back with his Personal Care Attendant and drew pictures of trains and trucks.
He was in his glory.
While we were there I realized that this would be a great place to bring Cooper for his first ‘restaurant’ type outing.
You order food and sit down. There is no waiting. It’s quiet. People come and go.
My number one goal for this year is to get Cooper out into the community. This feels like a great place to start!
In every photo we take with food, baby Harbor is staring like this. I think that kid is ready for a steak!
And of course we made sure to grab a doughnut for Super Cooper!
After breakfast it was scavenger hunt time.
We decided to make little Sawyer work for his presents! We hid cards all over the house with clues. He ran from room to room, to the backyard to the garage.
Sawyer was in his glory. He had so much fun and burned off quite a bit of energy too.
Cooper chased behind us the whole time, gathering up the cards. He quickly decided that they would be his latest treasures.
My boys couldn’t be any more different, but there are so many instances where they like things for different reasons. Which this mama greatly enjoys.
Sawyer was pretty excited to get his big and final prize. A Bey Blade stadium.
While Cooper loves paper, greeting cards and photos, Sawyer loves trucks, dirt and toys, toys, toys.
After the scavenger hunt it was time for the party. Cooper helped me hang up balloons, streamers and a banner. That kid loves birthdays. We had family over for spaghetti dinner…Sawyer’s choice.
Then it was time for cake and to sing Happy Birthday!
For the first time in his eight years, Cooper stayed in the room for the happy birthday song. His favorite song. A song that also scares him.
He even brought me the candle to light. That’s how excited he was.
Take a listen to our terrible, but filled with love, singing. And watch Cooper get so excited.
Typically, anticipation for a birthday party would be really, really hard for Cooper. So hard that he would get upset and miss the whole party.
He doesn’t understand time. Or waiting. Or how to process the feelings of excitement.
He gets overwhelmed by the sounds, people, and chaos. But, we made some changes a week or so ago.
We started a few anti-anxiety meds. We introduced a calendar. We used a social story. And we talked daily about the party.
Our number one goal is to make him happy and successful. And in turn, we help our whole family.
Today, my boy was successful at his brother’s party.
He didn’t get upset. And the day was solely about Sawyer. Just as it should be.
We never give up hope over here. We have setbacks. We have regressions. And we just dig in and keep moving forward.
These boys are so wonderful. Just as they are.
Happy birthday to my sweet Sawyer. We are so lucky to have you in our lives buddy. You are truly a blessing.
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