Eli’s 5th Birthday Party!

*Warning – picture overload ahead. Proceed at your own risk.* :)

On Saturday we had Eli’s birthday party with our families. We had a soccer theme going on (which worked out great since Party City had their soccer decorations on clearance). And, of course, we had lots of food! Eli suffered through the eating (asking about every 5 minutes if it was time to open presents), and then it was indeed time to open presents!

We put on quite the spread, if I do say so myself.

Eli had already opened some presents on his birthday, but he was ready for more!   He couldn’t wait to tear in to this big stack from Grandma Amanda and Grandpa Terry . . .

First he got the soccer cones that Jon had growing up. You can tell his excitement. :)  We have cheap dollar store cones that blow over with every little breeze, so Eli said, “We already have cones.” But I was excited because these are actual, heavier, nice cones which will work out so much better!

Next box brought Jon’s baseball mitt from when he was younger! Eli was more excited for this one, though the picture still doesn’t quite capture it.

Next came the super-excitement when he spotted the Lego logo under the paper . . .

The fire station!!!

Eli also got super soakers, which he wasn’t quite sure about at first, and then LOVED when it came time to play outside later in the day.

Mommy and Daddy’s last present for Eli brought a smile because he, again, saw the Lego logo.

The kids all had to inspect the police headquarters. This thing is sweet, let me tell you!

Eli’s next present was from Uncle Jeremy, who had shipped it from California the previous week. Eli had been asking to open it every day since then (even before his birthday). So this was a VERY anticipated present. We had Uncle Jeremy on video conference so he could see the opening, and it didn’t disappoint. Eli got a Razor Spark scooter (like Natey and Andrew!) and was beyond excited!!

Dancing on the chair he was so excited!

His last presents of the day came accompanied with a homemade Mario birthday card from Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Bob (Grandma Sherry makes all the cards and they are always so unique, we love it!), which Eli thought was pretty awesome. His expression when he looked at the card was priceless . . .

He got a basketball, and had to go outside for the rest of his gift . . .

He spotted the basketball hoop in the back of Grandpa Bob’s car!!

After present opening it was time to dig in to those Legos.

Then it was time for some fun outside! We blew up the pools and splished the afternoon away!

And then, after dinner, it was time for cake and homemade soft-serve mint ice cream from our soft-serve machine. Eli wanted a Mario soccer cake, and he LOVED the finished product. I did too. :) And, bonus, it was super yummy.

I think this fits the request for a “Mario soccer” cake perfectly!

We found the soccer candles on clearance, and Eli loved them!

Mario is very serious about guarding his goal.

And Luigi is doing some fancy soccer things down at his end.

A top view – Eli saw the candy letters at the store and REALLY wanted those instead of me spelling out happy birthday with icing. There weren’t enough “H”s to spell out Elijah though. :)

Shy birthday boy once the singing started.

Blowing out the candles!

The back ones didn’t want to go out. But Eli got ‘em in the end!

We had a wonderful day celebrating out little guy. At 5 he’s not so little anymore, but he’s still our baby. Happy birthday, Eli! We hope you had a wonderful Mario soccer party! We love you!