Jackson's Birthday and Christmas Eve

On the last day of school before the Christmas break, Jackson got to bring a treat into his preschool class. He decided a really long time ago that he wanted to Spider man birthday. He consistently talked about that as his theme that when I would come across something Spider man that was a good price I would get it. Well a few months ago he started to change it. One week it was Dinosaurs another it was army. As it got closet to his birthday I decided that we better pinpoint what kind of cupcakes we were bringing to his class. One day on the ride home from preschool I asked Jackson what was it that he wanted on the cupcakes. He replied, "Army guys." I responded with" I thought that you wanted dinosaurs?" He replies to me, "Well... Could I have both? I could have the Army guys like shooting the dinosaurs? "

To avoid strange looks from his preschool teachers I petitioned hard to go back to the Spider man theme and in the end I won but he was happy with that so here are the preschool cupcakes.

This picture has nothing to do with his birthday or preschool but I thought it was funny. Jackson found a medicine dropper in the silverware drawer. He stuck his middle finger down the tube and well lo and behold he got it stuck. I thought it was so funny that I had to take a picture but he didn't share my same sentiments.

Each year we have the struggle of making Jackson's birthday special and carry on with our with Christmas Eve festivities. Gratefully Jackson is still at the age that he thinks anything we do is great. This year we slept over night at our Philadelphia cousin's house to watch the U of U bowl game and to celebrate Jackson's birthday morning with cousins. Dad made Norwegian roll up pancakes at his request which were to include whipping cream. Jackson is showing proof that dad came through with all of that.

We brought on present with us so that he could open something there but he opened the rest when we got home. After we had breakfast and had terrorized the Philly cousins enough, we packed up and headed home. Jackson was so excited to open up his presents that's all he could talk about so when we got home, we finally let him tear into his presents. Jocey gave him this Spider man puzzle and the choke hold for his birthday.

He got a few other things but the highlight was the race track. He and his dad played it for about an hour after they finally got it together.

Kelsey just wanted her picture taken. I love her hair in pig tails so I just posted this one because it was cute.

Between our Norwegian Christmas Eve dinner, our Christmas cinnamon roll and quiche breakfast and the Christmas Dinner that we were hosting for 15 people the next day we had a lot of cooking to be done. I unfortunately didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked. I did however get a picture of the traditional Christmas pajamas. It's one tradition from my child hood that I just can't let die. Who doesn't love snuggle pajamas on Christmas Eve?

After dinner, the pajama unwrapping and the nativity story we got to the cake. I knew that because of all the holidays treats and two birthdays that we can get caked out pretty quick. To keep things from being over done and to combine traditional Christmas treats with birthday, I convinced Jackson that he wanted peppermint ice cream pie for his cake. He loves the stuff so it didn't take a whole lot of convincing, plus I stuck a Spider man suction cup web on with a Spider man and there you have a birthday cake.

He was happy with the results. My mom sent this adorable plate set for Santa that included a plate, a cup for milk and a cup for carrots for the reindeer. The kids were sure to set this up for Santa and his reindeer.