Bronson had a Birthday Shout Hooray!

Bronson had a birthday recently which kicked off birthday season at our house.  We go from mid July clear til the end of February with no birthdays and then BAM 8 birthdays in just a few months.

We were so excited when we found out that our local community drama department was putting on a production of Peter Pan Jr. at a Historic Theater that Zac is helping to renovate downtown.  Given Bronson's Peter Pan obsession, we figured it was a perfect opportunity for a family activity to celebrate his birthday.

And since we got there early and had the only kid in the audience dressed like Peter Pan, the director invited Bronson backstage to meet his idol. 

The whole cast of Peter Pan Jr. flocked over to see the adorable little boy dressed like Peter Pan, in their whole week run they hadn't had a bigger fan than Bronson.  It was a dream come true for him and he loved every minute of it.

He has also been very obsessed with Mickey Mouse lately still fresh off a trip to Disneyland.  He still packs the Disneyland map around with him in case he needs to quickly remember where a ride was.  He has that place memorized.  Given his love for all things Disney, he decided he would like a Mickey Mouse cake this year and he helped me design it.  He was incredibly particular about the details, such as how many Mickey Mouses should appear on the cake and he only wanted one candle in his 5 candle holder.  I couldn't talk him into five candles. 

In case you can't tell, he is wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt.

He lit his own candle this year and was so proud of that fact.

We told him to make a wish and we heard him whisper, "I wish I could go to Neverland with Peter Pan." before he blew out the candle.  He melts my heart.  It breaks my heart that he is growing up so fast and will outgrow his imagination eventually.

The coolest part of his cake was that there were hidden cake balls inside that when the cake was cut into revealed Mickey Mouse silhouettes.  Now that was a trick!

After the candle was blown out and the cake was cut, Bronson informed me that he hates cake with oreos on it.  He likes cake and he likes oreos, but he hates cake with oreos on it... so he wouldn't even eat a piece.  What a stinker. 

His brothers and sisters worked really hard to save money for his birthday.  He got some inflatable weapons from Ian.  (Ian may have been more excited about them than Bronson even was... though Bronson liked them a lot). 

He also got a remote control car from Tanner.

Charlotte gave him a big rubber ball.  Ashlyn gave him giant sidewalk chalk.  I got him some Mickey Mouse pajammas and the movies Peter Pan 1 and 2, which we watched on his actual birthday.  Zac got him a sling shot and a cute little shovel.  And Whitlee got him a baseball mitt and a baseball. 

All together he had a really great birthday!

10 Things You Should Know About Bronson

1. He LOVES Peter Pan and Jake and the Neverland Pirates and all things Neverland.  He even loves the song Lost Boy that plays on the radio right now.  His biggest wish is to go to Neverland someday.  He isn't even afraid of Captain Hook.

2. His favorite food is Mac and Cheese and he would eat it for every meal if I let him.  I always have to leave a little extra in the pan so he can help himself to more servings when he is done with his first bowl.

3. He is a candy/ food snob.  He is incredibly particular about what food he eats.  He isn't one to just take candy whenever it is offered.  Halloween is tricky for us because he ends up telling about 75% of the houses he trick or treats at no thanks when he sees what they have to offer.  Same with the well meaning adults that offer him treats at church.  We are working on being a gracious gift/ treat receiver.

4. He is incredibly smart.  He starts Kindergarten in the fall and and he is already reading.  Like seriously Dr. Seuss books.  He can count past 100, rhyme, knows opposites and colors.  Can spell his name like a pro and is writing letters to his friends.  I am nervous that he is going to be bored in Kindergarten.

5.  He is fiercely independent.  He likes to do everything himself.  He especially likes being in charge of pushing all the buttons on the microwave and when we watch movies.  Him and I have had power struggles since he was a toddler about who would be in charge.

6,  He is a wonderful helper.  He loves to do service.  He is always the last to leave church because he has to hold the doors for everyone.  He loves to help Whitlee and is a great playmate to her.  He tries to find little acts of kindness that he can do for me and I often find notes by my bed that say I love you Mom from Bronson.

7.  He is an amazing artist.  He loves to draw all the time.  He draws Peter Pan and Captain Hook and Mickey Mouse, and The Cat in the Hat.  He draws hundreds of things and you can always tell what he is drawing.  I love his pictures.

8.  He is amazing with scissors and craft projects.  That kid will sit still for an hour just intircately cutting out the pictures that he has drawn.  He will also happily work on any worksheets that I will print him, but especially loves to cut and glue.

9.  He is known for his letter writing.  He loves to write the most hilarious letters to his cousins and Aunts.  He also is constantly writing letters to his friends and wants me to help deliver them to their mail boxes.  We have formed many pen pal relationships this way.

10.  He loves maps.  And especially the map to Disneyland.  Our trip to Disneyland this last October was the absolute highlight of his life.  He talks about it regularly and absolutely can't wait until we go back.  He has kept the magic alive for all of us.

Bonus 11.  He very literally believes that he is George the monkey from Curious George.  He is adamant that his dad is the Man in the Yellow Hat and that he found him in the jungle and then shaved all his fur off and brought him home to be our little boy.  He was sad one day and I asked him what was the matter and he told me that he missed his jungle friends.  We have a furry brown blanket that he says was his monkey fur that his dad shaved off!

 and 12.  Bronson is a very loving and fun little brother.  He is happiest when he is snuggled in with Mom and Dad watching a movie and when he can sleep with a brother or sister.  Sleepovers are his favorites.  He is incredibly playful and fun to be with for his siblings.  He injects joy and adventure into every family outing.  If we can sleep in a hotel, he thinks he has won the lottery.

and 13:  He wants to be a ninja when he grows up and sneaks around the house thinking that none of us can see him.  I can't get enough of that little turkey.

We absolutely love having Bronson in our home.  Can't believe our little Buster is going to Kindergarten this year!