manning turns 4

manning turned four today! he has been very excited for his birthday to come. unfortunately, we had the early baseball games this morning and had to have birthday breakfast at the field. but who would mind with donuts like these? manning requested "peace, love and little donuts" and watermelon for his birthday breakfast. the funny part was that the customers in front of us were picking up birthday donuts and the lady behind the counter was also celebrating her birthday! it was the birthday destination this morning.

we all enjoyed the birthday breakfast picnic. 

once we were done with our final saturday baseball games of the season, we went home to have manning's lunch of choice - kraft mac and cheese with steamed broccoli.

look at this big kid!

with manning's blessing, maddux and i were excused from our own celebration to go to one of his classmate's birthday party. it was an awesome old school backyard party. maddux and his friends had a great time and the other moms (and grandmas) and i were marveling at how well behaved they were.

maddux ended up winning the pin the tail on the donkey game! it worked out great because he was given a super hero kickball as the prize and took the sting out of all the gifts at home.

look at these well-behaved boys taking turns at the piñata. 

maddux and i went home to pick up the rest of the crew so we could go to toys 'r' us for their birthday celebration. the birthday kids were all sent coupons for their 'gift' and an invitation to the party. this year they released a book about geffory the giraffe. the kids were each given a copy and got to listen to it read.

they were also each given a stuffed geffory toy (maddux got one for his birthday in november).

we let them wander around for a while browsing the toys (and growing their 'want list') before going to manning's restaurant of choice for an early dinner. we were all happy about his choice. he also chose for us to sit at the bar (he didn't sit alone, the rest of the kids were in the bathroom).

and then we went home for opening presents over skype with the grandparents.

remember this book from the felt board set? very exciting!

once we were done with the grandparents, it was time for cake and ice cream! manning chose a minion cake.

now bring on the rest of the presents!

i remembered to get a picture with the birthday boy this year.

then we went out to give him his present from dad and mom...

this was the #1 thing he mentioned every time he was asked about what he wanted for his birthday, a "yellow pedal bike." and he took to it quicker than any of the other kids which was actually a little scarier because i couldn't keep up and he didn't know how to fall yet. this was on his third attempt:

manning was very happy with his special day. love.

goodnight, birthday boy.